Combination therapies of alk inhibitors

ABSTRACT

A method of treating a cancer in a subject is disclosed, comprising administering to the subject an immunomodulator and a second therapeutic agent, wherein: (i) the immunomodulator is chosen from one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule, and (ii) the second therapeutic agent is LDK378, thereby treating the cancer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/050,116, filed Sep. 13, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/059,788, filed Oct. 3, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/119,060, filed Feb. 20, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/199,030, filed Jul. 30, 2015, the contents of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Sep. 11, 2015, is named C2160-7013WO_SL.txt and is 14,750 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

The ability of T cells to mediate an immune response against an antigen requires two distinct signaling interactions (Viglietta, V. et al. (2007) Neurotherapeutics 4:666-675; Korman, A. J. et al. (2007) Adv. Immunol. 90:297-339). First, an antigen that has been arrayed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APC) is presented to an antigen-specific naïve CD4⁺ T cell. Such presentation delivers a signal via the T cell receptor (TCR) that directs the T cell to initiate an immune response specific to the presented antigen. Second, various co-stimulatory and inhibitory signals mediated through interactions between the APC and distinct T cell surface molecules trigger the activation and proliferation of the T cells and ultimately their inhibition.

The immune system is tightly controlled by a network of costimulatory and co-inhibitory ligands and receptors. These molecules provide the second signal for T cell activation and provide a balanced network of positive and negative signals to maximize immune responses against infection, while limiting immunity to self (Wang, L. et al. (Epub Mar. 7, 2011) J. Exp. Med. 208(3):577-92; Lepenies, B. et al. (2008) Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders—Drug Targets 8:279-288). Examples of costimulatory signals include the binding between the B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86) ligands of the APC and the CD28 and CTLA-4 receptors of the CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte (Sharpe, A. H. et al. (2002) Nature Rev. Immunol. 2:116-126; Lindley, P. S. et al. (2009) Immunol. Rev. 229:307-321). Binding of B7.1 or B7.2 to CD28 stimulates T cell activation, whereas binding of B7.1 or B7.2 to CTLA-4 inhibits such activation (Dong, C. et al. (2003) Immunolog. Res. 28(1):39-48; Greenwald, R. J. et al. (2005) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 23:515-548). CD28 is constitutively expressed on the surface of T cells (Gross, J., et al. (1992) J. Immunol. 149:380-388), whereas CTLA4 expression is rapidly up-regulated following T-cell activation (Linsley, P. et al. (1996) Immunity 4:535-543).

Other ligands of the CD28 receptor include a group of related B7 molecules, also known as the “B7 Superfamily” (Coyle, A. J. et al. (2001) Nature Immunol. 2(3):203-209; Sharpe, A. H. et al. (2002) Nature Rev. Immunol. 2:116-126; Collins, M. et al. (2005) Genome Biol. 6:223.1-223.7; Korman, A. J. et al. (2007) Adv. Immunol. 90:297-339). Several members of the B7 Superfamily are known, including B7.1 (CD80), B7.2 (CD86), the inducible co-stimulator ligand (ICOS-L), the programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1; B7-H1), the programmed death-2 ligand (PD-L2; B7-DC), B7-H3, B7-H4 and B7-H6 (Collins, M. et al. (2005) Genome Biol. 6:223.1-223.7).

The Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) protein is an inhibitory member of the extended CD28/CTLA4 family of T cell regulators (Okazaki et al. (2002) Curr Opin Immunol 14: 391779-82; Bennett et al. (2003) J. Immunol. 170:711-8). Other members of the CD28 family include CD28, CTLA-4, ICOS and BTLA. PD-1 is suggested to exist as a monomer, lacking the unpaired cysteine residue characteristic of other CD28 family members. PD-1 is expressed on activated B cells, T cells, and monocytes.

The PD-1 gene encodes a 55 kDa type I transmembrane protein (Agata et al. (1996) Int Immunol. 8:765-72). Although structurally similar to CTLA-4, PD-1 lacks the MYPPY motif (SEQ ID NO: 1) that is important for B7-1 and B7-2 binding. Two ligands for PD-1 have been identified, PD-L1 (B7-H1) and PD-L2 (B7-DC), that have been shown to downregulate T cell activation upon binding to PD-1 (Freeman et al. (2000) J. Exp. Med. 192:1027-34; Carter et al. (2002) Eur. J. Immunol. 32:634-43). Both PD-L1 and PD-L2 are B7 homologs that bind to PD-1, but do not bind to other CD28 family members. PD-L1 is abundant in a variety of human cancers (Dong et al. (2002) Nat. Med. 8:787-9).

PD-1 is known as an immunoinhibitory protein that negatively regulates TCR signals (Ishida, Y. et al. (1992) EMBO J. 11:3887-3895; Blank, C. et al. (Epub 2006 Dec. 29) Immunol. Immunother. 56(5):739-745). The interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 can act as an immune checkpoint, which can lead to, e.g., a decrease in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, a decrease in T-cell receptor mediated proliferation, and/or immune evasion by cancerous cells (Dong et al. (2003) J. Mol. Med. 81:281-7; Blank et al. (2005) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 54:307-314; Konishi et al. (2004) Clin. Cancer Res. 10:5094-100). Immune suppression can be reversed by inhibiting the local interaction of PD-1 with PD-L1 or PD-L2; the effect is additive when the interaction of PD-1 with PD-L2 is blocked as well (Iwai et al. (2002) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 99:12293-7; Brown et al. (2003) J. Immunol. 170:1257-66).

Given the importance of immune checkpoint pathways in regulating an immune response, the need exists for developing novel combination therapies that activate the immune system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides, at least in part, methods and compositions comprising an immunomodulator (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) in combination with a second therapeutic agent LDK378. In one embodiment, an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule (e.g., one or more inhibitors of PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) or CTLA4) can be combined with LDK378. The combinations described herein can provide a beneficial effect, e.g., in the treatment of a cancer, such as an enhanced anti-cancer effect, reduced toxicity and/or reduced side effects. For example, the immunomodulator, the second therapeutic agent, or both, can be administered at a lower dosage than would be required to achieve the same therapeutic effect compared to a monotherapy dose. Thus, compositions and methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders including cancer using the aforesaid combination therapies are disclosed.

Accordingly, in one aspect the disclosure features a method of treating (e.g., inhibiting, reducing, ameliorating, or preventing) a hyperproliferative condition or disorder (e.g., a cancer) in a subject. The method includes administering to the subject an immunomodulator (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) and a second therapeutic agent LDK378, thereby treating the hyperproliferative condition or disorder (e.g., the cancer). In certain embodiments, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule (e.g., an inhibitor of PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) or CTLA4, or any combination thereof). The combination of the immunomodulator and the second agent can be administered together in a single composition or administered separately in two or more different compositions, e.g., compositions or dosage forms as described herein. The administration of the immunomodulator and the second agent can be in any order. For example, the immunomodulator can be administered concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, the second agent.

In another aspect, the disclosure features a method of reducing an activity (e.g., growth, survival, or viability, or all), of a hyperproliferative (e.g., a cancer) cell. The method includes contacting the cell with an immunomodulator (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) and LDK378, thereby reducing an activity in the cell. In certain embodiments, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule (e.g., an inhibitor of PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) or CTLA4, or any combination thereof). The methods described herein can be used in vitro or in vivo, e.g., in an animal subject or as part of a therapeutic protocol. The contacting of the cell with the immunomodulator and the second agent can be in any order. In certain embodiments, the cell is contacted with the immunomodulator concurrently, prior to, or subsequent to, the second agent.

In another aspect, the disclosure features a composition (e.g., one or more compositions or dosage forms), comprising an immunomodulator (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) and a second therapeutic agent LDK378. In certain embodiments, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule (e.g., an inhibitor of PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) or CTLA4, or any combination thereof). In one embodiment, the composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The immunomodulator and the second agent can be present in a single composition or as two or more different compositions. The immunomodulator and the second agent can be administered via the same administration route or via different administration routes.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical combination comprising (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Formulations, e.g., dosage formulations, and kits, e.g., therapeutic kits, that include the immunomodulator (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) and the second therapeutic agent LDK378, and instructions for use, are also disclosed.

Items That Describe Further Preferred Embodiments Alone or in Combination, are Listed Below:

-   -   1. A pharmaceutical combination comprising (i) LDK378, or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) nivolumab, or         a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.     -   2. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 1 comprising         components (i) and (ii) separately or together.     -   3. The pharmaceutical combination according to items 1 or 2 for         use as a medicine, wherein LDK378 and the Nivolumab are         administered independently at the same time or separately within         time intervals.     -   4. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 3, wherein         time intervals allow that the combination partners are jointly         active.     -   5. The pharmaceutical combination according to any of items 1 to         4 comprising a quantity which is jointly therapeutically         effective for the treatment of an ALK mediated disease.     -   6. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 5, wherein         the ALK mediated disease is cancer.     -   7. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 6, wherein         the ALK mediated disease is NSCLC or lymphoma,     -   8. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 6, wherein         the ALK mediated disease is NSCLC.     -   9. The pharmaceutical combination according to any of the items         1 to 8, for use as a medicine.     -   10. The pharmaceutical combination according to any of the items         1 to 8, for use in the treatment of cancer.     -   11. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 10, wherein         the cancer is a non-small cell lung cancer.     -   12. Use of LDK378 in combination with Nivolumab for the         manufacture of a medicament for an ALK mediated disease.     -   13. The use of LDK378 in combination with Nivolumab for the         manufacture of a medicament, according to item 12, wherein the         disease is cancer.     -   14. The use of LDK378 in combination with Nivolumab for the         manufacture of a medicament according to item 13, wherein the         cancer is non-small cell lung cancer.     -   15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising LDK378 or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and Nivolumab or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for simultaneous or         separate administration for the treatment of cancer.     -   16. The pharmaceutical composition according to item 15, wherein         the cancer is a non-small cell lung cancer.     -   17. The pharmaceutical composition according to items 22 or 23,         wherein the composition comprises effective amounts of LDK378         and nivolumab.     -   18. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of items         15 to 18, wherein the composition further comprises a         pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.     -   19. LDK378 for use as a medicine, wherein LDK378, or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is to be administered         in combination with Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof.     -   20. LDK378 for use as a medicine according to item 19, for the         treatment of cancer.     -   21. LDK378 for use as a medicine according to item 20, wherein         the cancer is a non-small cell lung cancer.     -   22. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         1 to 11 in the form of a kit of parts for the combined         administration.     -   23. The pharmaceutical combination according to item 22, wherein         LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the         Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are         administered jointly or independently at the same time or         separately within time intervals.     -   24. A method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof         comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically         effective amount of i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof, and (ii) nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt thereof.     -   25. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         3 to 11, 22 or 23, use according to any one of items 12 to 14, a         method for the treating cancer according to item 24, the         pharmaceutical composition according to any one of items 15 to         18, or LDK378 for use as a medicine according to any one of         items 19 to 21, wherein LDK378 and Nivolumab are administered to         an ALK-naïve patient.     -   26. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         3 to 11, 22 or 23, use according to any one of items 12 to 14, a         method for the treating cancer according to item 24, the         pharmaceutical composition according to any one of items 15 to         18, or LDK378 for use as a medicine according to any one of         items 19 to 21, wherein LDK378 and Nivolumab are administered to         a patient that has been pretreated with an ALK inhibitor.     -   27. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         3 to 11, 22 or 23, use according to any one of items 12 to 14, a         method for the treating cancer according to item 24, the         pharmaceutical composition according to any one of items 15 to         18, or LDK378 for use as a medicine according to any one of         items 19 to 21, wherein LDK378 and Nivolumab are administered to         a patient that has been pretreated with LDK378.     -   28. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         3 to 11, 22, 23 or 25 to 27, use according to any one of items         12 to 14 or 25 to 27, a method for the treating cancer according         to any one of items 24 to 27, the pharmaceutical composition         according to any one of items 15 to 18 or 25 to 27, or LDK378         for use as a medicine according to any one of items 19 to 21 or         25 to 27, wherein the cancer comprises ALK translocation or         rearrangement.     -   29. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         3 to 11, 22, 23 or 25 to 27, use according to any one of items         12 to 14 or 25 to 27, a method for the treating cancer according         to any one of items 24 to 27, the pharmaceutical composition         according to any one of items 15 to 18 or 25 to 27, or LDK378         for use as a medicine according to any one of items 19 to 21 or         25 to 27, wherein the cancer comprises EML4-ALK fusion.     -   30. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         3 to 11, 22, 23 or 25 to 27, use according to any one of items         12 to 14 or 25 to 27, a method for the treating cancer according         to any one of items 24 to 27, the pharmaceutical composition         according to any one of items 15 to 18 or 25 to 27, or LDK378         for use as a medicine according to any one of items 19 to 21 or         25 to 27, wherein the cancer comprises ALK-ROS1 fusion.     -   31. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         1 to 11, 22, 23 or 25 to 30, use according to any one of items         12 to 14 or 25 to 30, a method for the treating cancer according         to any one of items 24 to 30, the pharmaceutical composition         according to any one of items 15 to 18 or 25 to 30, or LDK378         for use as a medicine according to any one of items 19 to 21 or         25 to 30, wherein ceritinib dose is 450 mg and nivolumab dose is         3 mg/kg.     -   32. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         1 to 11, 22, 23 or 25 to 30, use according to any one of items         12 to 14 or 25 to 30, a method for the treating cancer according         to any one of items 24 to 30, the pharmaceutical composition         according to any one of items 15 to 18 or 25 to 30, or LDK378         for use as a medicine according to any one of items 19 to 21 or         25 to 30, wherein ceritinib dose is 600 mg and nivolumab dose is         3 mg/kg.     -   33. The pharmaceutical combination according to any one of items         1 to 11, 22, 23 or 25 to 32, use according to any one of items         12 to 14 or 25 to 32, a method for the treating cancer according         to any one of items 24 to 32, the pharmaceutical composition         according to any one of items 15 to 18 or 25 to 32, or LDK378         for use as a medicine according to any one of items 19 to 21 or         25 to 32, wherein ceritinib is administered with a low fat meal.

Additional features or embodiments of the methods, compositions, dosage formulations, and kits described herein include one or more of the following:

In certain embodiments, the immunomodulator is an activator of a costimulatory molecule. In one embodiment, the agonist of the costimulatory molecule is chosen from an agonist (e.g., an agonistic antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, or a soluble fusion) of OX40, CD2, CD27, CDS, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278), 4-1BB (CD137), GITR, CD30, CD40, BAFFR, HVEM, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, SLAMF7, NKp80, CD160, B7-H3 or CD83 ligand.

In certain embodiments, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule. In one embodiment, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA4, TIM3, LAG3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5), VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4 and/or TGFR beta. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule inhibits PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) or CTLA4, or any combination thereof. The term “inhibition” or “inhibitor” includes a reduction in a certain parameter, e.g., an activity, of a given molecule, e.g., an immune checkpoint inhibitor. For example, inhibition of an activity, e.g., a PD-1 or PD-L1 activity, of at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or more is included by this term. Thus, inhibition need not be 100%.

Inhibition of an inhibitory molecule can be performed at the DNA, RNA or protein level. In embodiments, an inhibitory nucleic acid (e.g., a dsRNA, siRNA or shRNA), can be used to inhibit expression of an inhibitory molecule. In other embodiments, the inhibitor of an inhibitory signal is, a polypeptide e.g., a soluble ligand (e.g., PD-1-Ig or CTLA-4 Ig), or an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to the inhibitory molecule; e.g., an antibody or fragment thereof (also referred to herein as “an antibody molecule”) that binds to PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA4, TIM3, LAG3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5), VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4 and/or TGFR beta, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the antibody molecule is a full antibody or fragment thereof (e.g., a Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fv, or a single chain Fv fragment (scFv)). In yet other embodiments, the antibody molecule has a heavy chain constant region (Fc) chosen from, e.g., the heavy chain constant regions of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, and IgE; particularly, chosen from, e.g., the heavy chain constant regions of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4, more particularly, the heavy chain constant region of IgG1 or IgG4 (e.g., human IgG1 or IgG4). In one embodiment, the heavy chain constant region is human IgG1 or human IgG4. In one embodiment, the constant region is altered, e.g., mutated, to modify the properties of the antibody molecule (e.g., to increase or decrease one or more of: Fc receptor binding, antibody glycosylation, the number of cysteine residues, effector cell function, or complement function).

In certain embodiments, the antibody molecule is in the form of a bispecific or multispecific antibody molecule. In one embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule has a first binding specificity to PD-1 or PD-L1 and a second binding specifity, e.g., a second binding specificity to TIM-3, LAG-3, or PD-L2. In one embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1 and TIM-3. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1 and LAG-3. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1 and CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5). In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1 and CEACAM-1. In still another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1 and CEACAM-3. In yet another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1 and CEACAM-5. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 or PD-L1. In yet another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to PD-1 and PD-L2. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to TIM-3 and LAG-3. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) and LAG-3. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody molecule binds to CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) and TIM-3. Any combination of the aforesaid molecules can be made in a multispecific antibody molecule, e.g., a trispecific antibody that includes a first binding specificity to PD-1 or PD-1, and a second and third binding specifities to two or more of: TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5), LAG-3, or PD-L2.In certain embodiments, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of PD-1, e.g., human PD-1. In another embodiment, the immunomodulator is an inhibitor of PD-L1, e.g., human PD-L1. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1 is an antibody molecule to PD-1 or PD-L1. The PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor can be administered alone, or in combination with other immunomodulators, e.g., in combination with an inhibitor of LAG-3, TIM-3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) or CTLA4. In an exemplary embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1, e.g., the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, is administered in combination with a LAG-3 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-LAG-3 antibody molecule. In another embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1, e.g., the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, is administered in combination with a TIM-3 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule. In yet other embodiments, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1, e.g., the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule, is administered in combination with a LAG-3 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-LAG-3 antibody molecule, and a TIM-3 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule. In another embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1, e.g., the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, is administered in combination with a CEACAM inhibitor (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5 inhibitor), e.g., an anti-CEACAM antibody molecule. In another embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1, e.g., the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, is administered in combination with a CEACAM-1 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-CEACAM-1 antibody molecule. In another embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-L1, e.g., the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, is administered in combination with a CEACAM-5 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-CEACAM-5 antibody molecule. Other combinations of immunomodulators with a PD-1 inhibitor (e.g., one or more of PD-L2, CTLA4, TIM3, CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) LAG3, VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4 and/or TGFR) are also within the present disclosure. Any of the antibody molecules known in the art or disclosed herein can be used in the aforesaid combinations of inhibitors of checkpoint molecule.

Exemplary Inhibitors of Immune Checkpoint Molecules

In one embodiment, the PD-1 inhibitor is an anti-PD-1 antibody chosen from Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab or Pidilizumab. Preferably, the PD-1 inhibitor is Nivolumab.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Nivolumab. Alternative names for Nivolumab include MDX-1106, MDX-1106-04, ONO-4538, or BMS-936558. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Nivolumab (CAS Registry Number: 946414-94-4). Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody which specifically blocks PD1. Nivolumab (clone 5C4) and other human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to PD1 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,008,449 and WO2006/121168. Nivolumab is the preferred PD-1 inhibitor.

In other embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab (Trade name KEYTRUDA formerly Lambrolizumab, also known as Merck 3745, MK-3475 or SCH-900475) is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD1. Pembrolizumab is disclosed, e.g., in Hamid, O. et al. (2013) New England Journal of Medicine 369 (2): 134-44, WO2009/114335, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,509.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Pidilizumab. Pidilizumab (CT-011; Cure Tech) is a humanized IgG1k monoclonal antibody that binds to PD1. Pidilizumab and other humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies are disclosed in WO2009/101611. Other anti-PD1 antibodies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,609,089, US 2010028330, and/or US 20120114649. Other anti-PD1 antibodies include AMP 514 (Amplimmune).

In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is an immunoadhesin (e.g., an immunoadhesin comprising an extracellular or PD-1 binding portion of PD-L1 or PD-L2 fused to a constant region (e.g., an Fc region of an immunoglobulin sequence). In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is AMP-224.

In some embodiments, the PD-L1 inhibitor is anti-PD-L1 antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-L1 inhibitor is chosen from YW243.55.S70, MPDL3280A, MEDI-4736, MSB-0010718C, or MDX-1105.

In one embodiment, the PD-L1 inhibitor is MDX-1105. MDX-1105, also known as BMS-936559, is an anti-PD-L1 antibody described in WO2007/005874.

In one embodiment, the PD-L1 inhibitor is YW243.55.S70. The YW243.55.S70 antibody is an anti-PD-L1 described in WO 2010/077634 (heavy and light chain variable region sequences shown in SEQ ID Nos. 20 and 21, respectively).

In one embodiment, the PD-L1 inhibitor is MDPL3280A (Genentech/Roche). MDPL3280A is a human Fc optimized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1. MDPL3280A and other human monoclonal antibodies to PD-L1 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,943,743 and U.S. Publication No.: 20120039906.

In other embodiments, the PD-L2 inhibitor is AMP-224. AMP-224 is a PD-L2 Fc fusion soluble receptor that blocks the interaction between PD1 and B7-H1 (B7-DCIg; Amplimmune; e.g., disclosed in WO2010/027827 and WO2011/066342).

In one embodiment, the LAG-3 inhibitor is an anti-LAG-3 antibody molecule. In one embodiment, the LAG-3 inhibitor is BMS-986016, disclosed in more detail herein below.

One or more of the aforesaid inhibitors of immune checkpoint molecules can be used in combination with LDK378, as more specifically exemplified below.

Exemplary Combination Therapies

In one embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 is Nivolumab (also referred to herein as MDX-1106, ONO-4538, BMS0936558, CAS Registry No: 946414-94-4) disclosed in e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,008,449, and having a sequence disclosed herein (or a sequence substantially identical or similar thereto, e.g., a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95% identical or higher to the sequence specified).

In another embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-1 is Pembrolizumab (also referred to herein as Lambrolizumab, MK-3475, MK03475 or KEYTRUDA), disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,509 and WO 2009/114335, and having a sequence disclosed herein (or a sequence substantially identical or similar thereto, e.g., a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95% identical or higher to the sequence specified).

In another embodiment, the inhibitor of PD-L1 is MSB0010718C (also referred to as A09-246-2) disclosed in, e.g., WO 2013/0179174, and having a sequence disclosed herein (or a sequence substantially identical or similar thereto, e.g., a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95% identical or higher to the sequence specified).

In certain embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor, e.g., the anti-PD-1 antibody (e.g., Nivolumab) is used in a method or composition described herein. For example, the PD-1 inhibitor, e.g., the anti-PD-1 antibody (e.g., Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab); or the PD-L1inhibitor, e.g., the anti-PD-L1 antibody (e.g., MSB0010718C) (alone or in combination with other immunomodulators) is used in combination with an ALK inhibitor LDK378. In one embodiment, one or more of the aforesaid combinations is used to treat a disorder, e.g., a disorder described herein (e.g., a disorder disclosed in Table 1). In one embodiment, one or more of the aforesaid combinations is used to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer described herein (e.g., a cancer disclosed in Table 1). Each of these combinations is discussed in more detail below.

According to the present disclosure, the PD-1 inhibitor, e.g., the anti-PD-1 antibody (e.g., Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab); or the PD-L1 inhibitor, e.g., the anti-PD-L1 antibody (e.g., MSB0010718C), (alone or in combination with other immunomodulators) is used in combination with an Alk inhibitor LDK378 to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer described herein (e.g., a cancer disclosed in Table 1 such as non-small cell lung cancer). The Alk inhibitor LDK378 is disclosed in Table 1, or in a publication recited in Table 1. In one embodiment, the Alk inhibitor LDK378 has the structure (compound or generic structure) provided in Table 1, or as disclosed in the publication recited in Table 1. In one embodiment, one of Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab or MSB0010718C is used in combination with LDK378 to treat a cancer described in Table 1, e.g., a solid tumor, e.g., a lung cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)), a lymphoma (e.g., an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), or a neuroblastoma. In some embodiments, the NSCLC is a stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, or a relapsed locally advanced or metastic NSCLC. In some embodiments, the cancer (e.g., the lung cancer, lymphoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, or neuroblastoma) has, or is identified as having, an ALK rearrangement or translocation, e.g., an ALK fusion. In one embodiment, the ALK fusion is an EML4-ALK fusion, e.g., an EML4-ALK fusion described herein. In certain embodiments, the cancer has progressed on, or is resistant or tolerant to, another ALK inhibitor or an ROS1 inhibitor. In some embodiments, the cancer has progressed on, or is resistant or tolerant to, crizotinib.

-   -   LDK378 has the following structure:

Particularly preferred combination of the present disclosure is a pharmaceutical combination comprising (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

LDK378 (ceritinib) is an Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) inhibitor. Its chemical formula is 5-chloro-N²-(2-isopropoxy-5-methyl-4-(piperidin-4-yl)phenyl)-N⁴-[2-(propane-2-sulfonyl)-phenyl]-pyrimidine-2,4-diamine. A process for preparing LDK378 was disclosed in WO2008/073687. The compound has been approved by the US FDA as Zykadia® for the treatment of patients with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib. The currently approved daily dose for use of LDK378 (alone) in NSCLC is 750 mg orally on an empty stomach (i.e., is not to be administered within 2 hours of a meal).

In a clinical study LDK378 demonstrated a high rate of rapid and durable responses in 246 ALK-positive NSCLC patients treated in the 750 mg dose group (RD). In these patients the overall response rate (ORR) was 58.5%. Among the 144 ALK-positive NSCLC patients with a confirmed complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), 86.1% of those patients achieved a response within 12 weeks, with a median time to response of 6.1 weeks. The estimated median duration of response (DOR) based on investigator assessment was long at 9.69 months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.21 months with 53.3% of the patients censored. Importantly, ceritinib showed this level of high anti-cancer activity regardless of prior ALK inhibitor status (i.e., whether or not the patient received previous treatment with an ALK inhibitor). A high ORR of 54.6% and 66.3% was observed in patients treated with a prior ALK inhibitor and in ALK inhibitor-naïve patients, respectively.

However, metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC remains an incurable disease. Harnessing the immune system to treat patients with NSCLC represents a novel and new treatment approach, and nivolumab can be safely combined with LDK378. Combination therapy involving targeted agent LDK378 and immunotherapy (Nivolumab) can improve progression-free survival and ultimately overall survival in NSCLC patients.

Ceritinib does not have a mechanism of action that would be expected to antagonize the immune response. Furthermore, immune-related adverse events have not been frequently reported in ceritinib trials. Potential overlapping toxicities between ceritinib and Nivolumab include diarrhea, nausea, AST and ALT elevations, pneumonitis, and hyperglycemia. The mechanisms of these toxicities are not expected to be similar, given the mechanisms of action of the two compounds and thus the safety profile can be managed.

LDK378 in combination with Nivolumab can also be used for the manufacture of a medicament for an ALK mediated disease. The pharmaceutical composition can comprise effective amounts of LDK378 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and Nivolumab or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for simultaneous or separate administration for the treatment of cancer. Equally, LDK378 can be used as a medicine, wherein LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is to be administered in combination with Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be formed, for example, as acid addition salts, preferably with organic or inorganic acids. Suitable inorganic acids are, for example, halogen acids, such as hydrochloric acid. Suitable organic acids are, e.g., carboxylic acids or sulfonic acids, such as fumaric acid or methanesulfonic acid. For isolation or purification purposes it is also possible to use pharmaceutically unacceptable salts, for example picrates or perchlorates. For therapeutic use, only pharmaceutically acceptable salts or free compounds are employed (where applicable in the form of pharmaceutical preparations), and these are therefore preferred. In view of the close relationship between the novel compounds in free form and those in the form of their salts, including those salts that can be used as intermediates, for example in the purification or identification of the novel compounds, any reference to the free compounds hereinbefore and hereinafter is to be understood as referring also to the corresponding salts, as appropriate and expedient. The salts of compounds of formula (I) are preferably pharmaceutically acceptable salts; suitable counter-ions forming pharmaceutically acceptable salts are known in the field.

The present disclosure, according to a first embodiment mentioned above, relates to a pharmaceutical combination, especially a pharmaceutical combination product, comprising the mentioned combination partners.

In accordance with the present disclosure the compounds in the pharmaceutical combination, components (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be administered separately or together.

The pharmaceutical combination, according to the present disclosure, for use as a medicine, wherein LDK378 and the Nivolumab are administered independently at the same time or separately within time intervals, wherein time intervals allow that the combination partners are jointly active.

The term “pharmaceutical combination” as used herein refers to a product obtained from mixing or combining in a non-fixed combination the active ingredients, e.g. (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof separately or together.

The term “combination” refers to formulations of the separate partners with or without instructions for combined use or to combination products. The combined compounds can be manufactured and/or formulated by the same or different manufacturers. The combination partners may thus be entirely separate pharmaceutical dosage forms or pharmaceutical compositions that are also sold independently of each other and where just instructions for their combined use are provided: (i) prior to release to physicians (e.g. in the case of a “kit of part” comprising the compound of the disclosure and the other therapeutic agent); (ii) by the physician themselves (or under the guidance of a physician) shortly before administration; (iii) the patient themselves by a physician or medical staff.

The term “non-fixed combination” means that the active ingredients, e.g. LDK378 and Nivolumab, are both administered separately or together, independently at the same time or separately within time intervals, wherein such administration provides therapeutically effective levels of the active ingredient in the subject in need. The latter also applies to cocktail therapy, e.g. the administration of three or more active ingredients. This term defines especially a “kit of parts” in the sense that the combination partners, e.g. (i) LDK378 and (ii) Nivolumab (and if present further one or more co-agents) as defined herein can be dosed independently of each other.

The term “jointly therapeutically effective” means that the compounds show synergistic interaction when administered separately or together, independently at the same time or separately within time intervals, to treat a subject in need, such as a warm-blooded animal in particular a human.

It was shown that the combination of the present disclosure possesses beneficial therapeutic properties, e.g. synergistic interaction, strong in-vivo and in-vitro antitumor response, which can be used as a medicine. Its characteristics render it particularly useful for the treatment of cancer. Suitable cancers that can be treated with the combination of the present disclosure include but are not limited to anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), neuroblastoma, lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a preferred embodiment, the cancer is NSCLC.

The combination according to the present disclosure can besides or in addition be administered especially for cancer therapy in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgical intervention, or in combination of these. Long-term therapy is equally possible as is adjuvant therapy in the context of other treatment strategies, as described above. Other possible treatments are therapy to maintain the patient's status after tumor regression, or even chemo-preventive therapy, for example in patients at risk.

The terms “treat”, “treating” or “treatment” of any disease or disorder refers to ameliorating the disease or disorder (e.g. slowing or arresting or reducing the development of the disease or at least one of the clinical symptoms thereof), to preventing or delaying the onset or development or progression of the disease or disorder. In addition those terms refers to alleviating or ameliorating at least one physical parameter including those which may not be discernible by the patient and also to modulating the disease or disorder, either physically (e.g. stabilization of a discernible symptom), physiologically (e.g. stabilization of a physical parameter), or both.

The term “treatment” comprises, for example, the therapeutic administration of the combination partners to a warm-blooded animal, in particular a human being, in need of such treatment with the aim to cure the disease or to have an effect on disease regression or on the delay of progression of a disease.

The combination of LDK378 and Nivolumab can be used to manufacture a medicament for an ALK mediated disease as described above. Likewise the combination can be used in a method for the treatment of an ALK, as described above, said method comprising administering an effective amount of a combination of (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof separately or together, to a subject in need thereof, according to the present disclosure.

For example, the term “jointly (therapeutically) active” may mean that the compounds may be given separately or sequentially (in a chronically staggered manner, especially a sequence specific manner) in such time intervals that they preferably, in the warm-blooded animal, especially human, to be treated, and still show a (preferably synergistic) interaction (joint therapeutic effect). A joint therapeutic effect can, inter alia, be determined by following the blood levels, showing that both compounds are present in the blood of the human to be treated at least during certain time intervals, but this is not to exclude the case where the compounds are jointly active although they are not present in blood simultaneously.

The present disclosure also describes the method for the treatment of an ALK mediated disease, wherein the combination of (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof separately or together.

The present disclosure relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising effective amounts of (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The pharmaceutical composition can be prepared with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which can be for example any suitable pharmaceutical excipient. The carrier includes any and all binders, fillers, solvents, dispersion media, coatings, surfactants, antioxidants, preservatives (e.g., antibacterial agents, antifungal agents), isotonic agents, absorption delaying agents, salts, drug stabilizers, disintegration agents, lubricants, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, dyes, and the like and combinations thereof, as would be known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. Mack Printing Company, 1990, pp. 1289-1329; Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st Ed. Pharmaceutical Press 2011; and subsequent versions thereof). Except insofar as any conventional carrier is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeutic or pharmaceutical compositions is contemplated. Other disclosure herein relating to the pharmaceutical composition can also be followed.

In accordance with the present disclosure the combination partners can be administered independently at the same time or separately within time intervals in separate unit dosage forms. The two therapeutic partners may be prepared in a manner known per se and are suitable for enteral, such as oral or rectal, topical and parenteral administration to subject in need thereof, including warm-blooded animal, in particular a human being. Suitable pharmaceutical compositions contain, e.g. from about 0.1% to about 99.9% of active ingredient.

The pharmaceutical composition can be processed to prepare a final dosage form—a tablet or a capsule. This can be achieved by compressing the final blend of the combination, optionally together with one or more excipients. The compression can be achieved for example with a rotary tablet press. Tablet of different shapes can be prepared (round, ovaloid, or other suitable shape). The tablet can be coated or uncoated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. If not indicated otherwise, these are prepared in a manner known per se, e.g. by means of mixing, granulating, sugar-coating processes. Formulation for oral use can be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or cellulose-based excipient, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example, olive oil, liquid paraffin or peanut oil.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

Another aspect of the disclosure is LDK378 for use as a medicine, wherein LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is to be administered in combination with Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the treatment of an ALK mediated disease, e.g. cancer.

Cancers and Subjects

The term “ALK mediated disease” refers to a disease in which activity of the kinase leads to abnormal activity of the regulatory pathways including overexpression, mutation or relative lack of activity of other regulatory pathways in the cell that result in excessive cell proliferation, e.g. cancer. ALK mediated disease can be non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is driven by the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation. ALK is a receptor tyrosine kinase of the insulin receptor superfamily that plays a role in neural development and function. ALK is translocated, mutated, or amplified in several tumor types, and thus ALK mediated disease include, in addition to NSCLC, neuroblastoma, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Alterations in ALK play a key role in the pathogenesis of these tumors. Other fusion partners of ALK besides EML4 that can be relevant in an ALK mediated disease are KIFSB, TFG, KLC1 and PTPN3, but are expected to be less common than EML4. Preclinical experiments have shown that the various ALK fusion partners mediate ligand-independent dimerization/oligomerization of ALK resulting in constitutive kinase activity and potent oncogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo and thus once translocated, ALK is driving, i.e. mediating the disease.

In certain embodiments of the compositions and methods described herein, the hyperproliferative disorder or condition, e.g., the cancer, includes but is not limited to, a solid tumor, a soft tissue tumor (e.g., a hematological cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma), and a metastatic lesion of any of the aforesaid cancers. In one embodiment, the cancer is a solid tumor. Examples of solid tumors include malignancies, e.g., sarcomas, adenocarcinomas, and carcinomas, of the various organ systems, such as those affecting the lung, breast, ovarian, lymphoid, gastrointestinal (e.g., colon), anal, genitals and genitourinary tract (e.g., renal, urothelial, bladder cells, prostate), pharynx, CNS (e.g., brain, neural or glial cells), head and neck, skin (e.g., melanoma), and pancreas, as well as adenocarcinomas which include malignancies such as colon cancers, rectal cancer, renal-cell carcinoma, liver cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, cancer of the small intestine and cancer of the esophagus. The cancer may be at an early, intermediate, late stage or metastatic cancer.

In one embodiment, the cancer is chosen from a cancer disclosed in Table 1. For example, the cancer can be chosen from a solid tumor, e.g., a lung cancer (e.g., a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (e.g., a NSCLC with squamous and/or non-squamous histology)), a colorectal cancer, a melanoma (e.g., an advanced melanoma), a head and neck cancer (e.g., head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a digestive/gastrointestinal cancer, a gastric cancer, a neurologic cancer, a glioblastoma (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme), an ovarian cancer, a renal cancer, a liver cancer, a pancreatic cancer, a prostate cancer, a liver cancer; a breast cancer, an anal cancer, a gastro-esophageal cancer, a thyroid cancer, a cervical cancer, an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), a neuroblastoma; or a hematological cancer (e.g., chosen from a Hogdkin's lymphoma, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, a lymphocytic leukemia, or a myeloid leukemia).

In one embodiment, the cancer is a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), e.g., an ALK+ NSCLC. As used herein, the term “ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer” or “ALK+ NSCLC” refers to an NSCLC that has an activated (e.g., constitutively activated) anaplastic lymphoma kinase activity or has a rearrangement or translocation of an Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene. Typically, compared with the general NSCLC population, patients with ALK+ NSCLC are generally younger, have light (e.g., <10 pack years) or no smoking history, present with lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, or may have more aggressive disease and, therefore, experience earlier disease progression (Shaw et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009; 27(26):4247-4253; Sasaki et al. Eur J Cancer. 2010; 46(10):1773-1780; Shaw et al. N Engl J Med. 2013; 368(25):2385-2394; Socinski et al. J Clin Oncol. 2012; 30(17):2055-2062; Yang et al. J Thorac Oncol. 2012; 7(1):90-97).

In one embodiment, the cancer, e.g., an NSCLC, has a rearrangement or translocation of an ALK gene. In one embodiment, the rearrangement or translocation of the ALK gene leads to a fusion (e.g., fusion upstream of the ALK promoter region). In certain embodiments, the fusion results in constitutive activation of the kinase activity.

In one embodiment, the fusion is an EML4-ALK fusion. Exemplary EML4-ALK fusion proteins include, but are not limited to, E13; A20 (V1), E20; A20 (V2), E6a/b; A20 (V3a/b), E14; A20 (V4), E2a/b; A20 (V5a/b), E13b; A20 (V6), E14; A20(V7), E15; A20(“V4”), or E18; A20 (V5) (Choi et al. Cancer Res. 2008; 68(13):4971-6; Horn et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009; 27(26):4232-5; Koivunen et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2008; 14(13):4275-83; Soda et al. Nature. 2007; 448(7153):561-6; Takeuchi et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2008; 14(20):6618-24; Takeuchi et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2009; 15(9):3143-9; Wong et al. Cancer. 2009 Apr 15; 115(8):1723-33).

In certain embodiments, the ALK gene is fused to a non-EML4 partner. In one embodiment, the fusion is a KIFSB-ALK fusion. In another embodiment, the fusion is a TFG-ALK fusion. Exemplary KIFSB-ALK and TFG-ALK fusions are described, e.g., in Takeuchi et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2009; 15(9):3143-9, Rikova et al. Cell. 2007; 131(6):1190-203.

ALK gene rearrangements or translocations, or cancer cells that has an ALK gene rearrangement or translocation, can be detected, e.g., using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), e.g., with an ALK break apart probe.

Methods and compositions disclosed herein are useful for treating metastatic lesions associated with the aforementioned cancers.

The term “subject in need” refers to a warm-blooded animal, in particular a human being that would benefit biologically, medically or in quality of life from the treatment. Subject or patient that can get the combination administered encompasses mammals and non-mammals. Examples of mammals include, but are not limited to, humans, chimpanzees, apes, monkeys, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine; rabbits, dogs, cats, rats, mice, guinea pigs, and the like. Examples of non-mammals include, but are not limited to, birds, fish and the like. In a most preferred embodiment, the subject or patient is human. It may be a human who has been diagnosed as in need of treatment for a disease or disorder disclosed herein.

In other embodiments, the subject is a mammal, e.g., a primate, preferably a higher primate, e.g., a human (e.g., a patient having, or at risk of having, a disorder described herein). In one embodiment, the subject is in need of enhancing an immune response. In one embodiment, the subject has, or is at risk of, having a disorder described herein, e.g., a cancer as described herein. In certain embodiments, the subject is, or is at risk of being, immunocompromised. For example, the subject is undergoing or has undergone a chemotherapeutic treatment and/or radiation therapy. Alternatively, or in combination, the subject is, or is at risk of being, immunocompromised as a result of an infection.

In one embodiment, the subject (e.g., a subject having a lung cancer (e.g., a non-small cell lung cancer), a lymphoma (e.g., an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, or a neuroblastoma) is being treated, or has been treated, with another ALK inhibitor and/or a ROS1 inhibitor, e.g., crizotinib. For example, ceritinib can be administered at a daily oral dose of 750 mg or lower, e.g., 600 mg or lower, e.g., 450 mg or lower.

In another embodiment, the subject or cancer (e.g., a lung cancer (e.g., a non-small cell lung cancer), a lymphoma (e.g., an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, or a neuroblastoma) has progressed on, or is resistant or tolerant to, another ALK inhibitor and/or a ROS1 inhibitor, e.g., crizotinib.

In yet another embodiment, the subject or cancer (e.g., a lung cancer (e.g., a non-small cell lung cancer), a lymphoma (e.g., an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, or a neuroblastoma) is at risk of progression on, or developing resistance or tolerance to, another ALK inhibitor and/or a ROS1 inhibitor, e.g., crizotinib.

In other embodiments, the subject or cancer is resistant or tolerant, or is at risk of developing resistance or tolerance, to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), e.g., an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

In some embodiments, the subject or cancer has no detectable EGFR mutation, KRAS mutation, or both.

Dosages and Administration

Dosages and therapeutic regimens of the agents described herein can be determined by a skilled artisan. The term “effective amount” means the amount of the subject compound that will engender a biological or medical response in a cell, tissue, organ, system, animal or human that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. The effective dosage of each combination partner agents employed in the combination of the disclosure may vary depending on the particular compound or pharmaceutical composition employed, the mode of administration, the condition being treated, the severity the condition being treated. A physician, clinician or veterinarian of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, counter or arrest the progress of the condition. Optimal precision in achieving concentration of drug within the range that yields efficacy requires a regimen based on the kinetics of the combination's drugs availability to target sites. This involves a consideration of the distribution, equilibrium and elimination of a drug.

The present disclosure also describes the pharmaceutical combination according to the present disclosure in the form of a “kit of parts” for the combined administration. The combination can refer to either a fixed combination in one dosage unit form, or a kit of parts for the combined administration where (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) Nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, may be administered independently at the same time or separately within time intervals, especially where these time intervals allow that the combination partners show a cooperative (=joint) effect. The independent formulations or the parts of the formulation, product, or composition, can then, e.g. be administered simultaneously or chronologically staggered, that is at different time points and with equal or different time intervals for any part of the kit of parts. In the combination therapies of the disclosure, the compounds useful according to the disclosure may be manufactured and/or formulated by the same or different manufacturers. Moreover, the combination partners may be brought together into a combination therapy: (i) prior to release of the combination product to physicians (e.g. in the case of a kit comprising LDK378 and the Nivolumab); (ii) by the physician themselves (or under the guidance of a physician) shortly before administration; (iii) in the patient themselves, e.g. during sequential administration of the compound of the disclosure and the other therapeutic agent. In one embodiment the effect of the combination is synergistic.

The therapeutically effective dosage of the combination of the disclosure, or pharmaceutical composition, is dependent on the species of the subject, the body weight, age and individual condition, the disorder or disease or the severity thereof being treated, and can be determined by standard clinical techniques. In addition, in vitro or in vivo assays can optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges. The precise dose to be employed can also depend on the route of administration, and the seriousness of the condition being treated and can be decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and each subject's circumstances in view of, e.g., published clinical studies. In general, satisfactory results are indicated to be obtained systemically at daily dosages of from 150 mg to 750 mg of LDK378 orally. In most cases, the daily dose for LDK378 can be between 300 mg and 750 mg.

LDK378 is generally administered at an oral dose of about 100 to 1000 mg, e.g., about 150 mg to 900 mg, about 200 mg to 800 mg, about 300 mg to 700 mg, or about 400 mg to 600 mg, e.g., about 150 mg, 300 mg, 450 mg, 600 mg or 750 mg. In certain embodiment, LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 750 mg or lower, e.g., about 600 mg or lower, e.g., about 450 mg or lower. In certain embodiments, LDK378 is administered with food. In other embodiments, the dose is under fasting condition. The dosing schedule can vary from e.g., every other day to daily, twice or three times a day. In one embodiment, LDK378 is administered daily. In one embodiment, LDK378 is administered at an oral dose from about 150 mg to 750 mg daily, either with food or in a fasting condition. In one embodiment, LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 750 mg daily, in a fasting condition. In one embodiment, LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 750 mg daily, via capsule or tablet. In another embodiment, LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 600 mg daily, via capsule or tablet. In one embodiment, LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 450 mg daily, via capsule or tablet.

When administered in combination with Nivolumab, LDK378 can be administered at 450 mg with 3 mg/kg nivolumab, 600 mg LDK378 with 3 mg/kg Nivolumab, or 300 mg LDK378 with 3 mg/kg nivolumab. The most preferred dose of both compounds for combination therapy is 600 mg of LDK378 with 3 mg/kg Nivolumab. Particularly 600 mg LDK378 with 3 mg/kg Nivolumab is the most preferred dosing regimen for treating ALK-positive (e.g. EML4-ALK) NSCLC. Nivolumab can be administered as the fixed dose infusion every two weeks. Ceritinib is to be taken together with a low fat meal. It is acceptable if ceritinib is administered within 30 minutes after consuming a low fat meal. A patient should refrain from eating for at least an hour after intake of ceritinib and the low fat meal. It is expected that administration of ceritinib with daily meal intake can reduce the incidence and/or severity of gastrointestinal events. It is estimated that the steady state exposure of ceritinib at 450 mg and 600 mg with daily low-fat meal intake is within 20% relative to that of ceritinib at the recommended phase II dose of 750 mg administered fasted, as predicted by model-based clinical trial simulation, using a population pharmacokinetic model established for ALK-positive cancer patients in one clinical study in conjunction with absorption parameters estimated from another clinical study.

The “low-fat meal” denotes herein a meal that contains approximately 1.5 to 15 grams of fat and approximately 100 to 500 total calories.

In certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered by injection (e.g., subcutaneously or intravenously) at a dose of about 1 to 30 mg/kg, e.g., about 5 to 25 mg/kg, about 10 to 20 mg/kg, about 1 to 5 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg. The dosing schedule can vary from e.g., once a week to once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered at a dose from about 10 to 20 mg/kg every other week.

In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule, e.g., Nivolumab, is administered intravenously at a dose from about 1 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg, e.g., about 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg, every two weeks. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule, e.g., Nivolumab, is administered intravenously at a dose of about 2 mg/kg at 3-week intervals.

The combination therapies described herein can be administered to the subject systemically (e.g., orally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, rectally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intranasally, transdermally, or by inhalation or intracavitary installation), topically, or by application to mucous membranes, such as the nose, throat and bronchial tubes.

The methods and compositions described herein can be used in combination with further agents or therapeutic modalities. The combination therapies can be administered simultaneously or sequentially in any order. Any combination and sequence of the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecules and other therapeutic agents, procedures or modalities (e.g., as described herein) can be used. The combination therapies can be administered during periods of active disorder, or during a period of remission or less active disease. The combination therapies can be administered before the other treatment, concurrently with the treatment, post-treatment, or during remission of the disorder.

In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions described herein are administered in combination with one or more of other antibody molecules, chemotherapy, other anti-cancer therapy (e.g., targeted anti-cancer therapies, gene therapy, viral therapy, RNA therapy bone marrow transplantation, nanotherapy, or oncolytic drugs), cytotoxic agents, immune-based therapies (e.g., cytokines or cell-based immune therapies), surgical procedures (e.g., lumpectomy or mastectomy) or radiation procedures, or a combination of any of the foregoing. The additional therapy may be in the form of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. In some embodiments, the additional therapy is an enzymatic inhibitor (e.g., a small molecule enzymatic inhibitor) or a metastatic inhibitor. Exemplary cytotoxic agents that can be administered in combination with include antimicrotubule agents, topoisomerase inhibitors, anti-metabolites, mitotic inhibitors, alkylating agents, anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids, intercalating agents, agents capable of interfering with a signal transduction pathway, agents that promote apoptosis, proteosome inhibitors, and radiation (e.g., local or whole body irradiation (e.g., gamma irradiation). In other embodiments, the additional therapy is surgery or radiation, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the additional therapy is a therapy targeting an mTOR pathway, an HSP90 inhibitor, or a tubulin inhibitor.

Alternatively, or in combination with the aforesaid combinations, the methods and compositions described herein can be administered in combination with one or more of: a vaccine, e.g., a therapeutic cancer vaccine; or other forms of cellular immunotherapy.

In another embodiment, the combination therapy is used in combination with one, two or all of oxaliplatin, leucovorin or 5-FU (e.g., a FOLFOX co-treatment). Alternatively or in combination, combination further includes a VEGF inhibitor (e.g., a VEGF inhibitor as disclosed herein). In some embodiments, the cancer treated with the combination is chosen from a melanoma, a colorectal cancer, a non-small cell lung cancer, an ovarian cancer, a breast cancer, a prostate cancer, a pancreatic cancer, a hematological malignancy or a renal cell carcinoma. The cancer may be at an early, intermediate or late stage.

In other embodiments, the combination therapy is administered with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., axitinib) to treat renal cell carcinoma and other solid tumors.

In other embodiments, the combination therapy is administered with a 4-1BB receptor targeting agent (e.g., an antibody that stimulates signaling through 4-1BB (CD-137), e.g., PF-2566). In one embodiment, the combination therapy is administered in combination with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., axitinib) and a 4-1BB receptor targeting agent.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a graphical representation of PD-L1 mRNA expression in H3122 cells in vitro with or without LDK378. H3122 cells are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with an ALK translocation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TABLE 1

Table 1 is a summary of the therapeutic agent LDK378 that can be administered in combination with the immunomodulators (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule and/or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) described herein. Table 1 provides from left to right the following for the LDK378: the Name and/or Designation of the second therapeutic agent, the Compound structure, a Patent publication disclosing the Compound, Selected Indications, and Generic structure.

TABLE 1 Structure Patent Indica- Name Name Compound Structure Application tion Generic structure LDK378 Zykadia

The compound is described in WO2008/073687; Example 7/compound 66; U.S. Pat. No. 8,039,479 - genus in claim 1; species in claim 5 Subgenus Formula (2) R1 is halo; R2 is H; R3 is SO2R12 and R12 Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy Solid Tumors Therapy

is C1-6 alkyl; R4 is H (n = 1); R6 is isopropoxy; One of R8 and R9 is (CR2)qY wherein q = 0, Y is piperidinyl and the other is C1-6 alkyl

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods and compositions are disclosed, which comprise an immunomodulator (e.g., one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule and/or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule) in combination with a second therapeutic agent LDK378. In one embodiment, an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule (e.g., one or more of inhibitors to PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3 or CTLA4) can be combined with a second therapeutic agent LDK378. The combinations described herein can provide a beneficial effect, e.g., in the treatment of a cancer, such as an enhanced anti-cancer effect, reduced toxicity and/or reduced side effects. For example, the immunomodulator, the second therapeutic agent, or both, can be administered at a lower dosage than would be required to achieve the same therapeutic effect compared to a monotherapy dose.

The term “Programmed Death 1” or “PD-1” include isoforms, mammalian, e.g., human PD-1, species homologs of human PD-1, and analogs comprising at least one common epitope with PD-1. The amino acid sequence of PD-1, e.g., human PD-1, is known in the art, e.g., Shinohara T et al. (1994) Genomics 23(3):704-6; Finger L R, et al. Gene (1997) 197(1-2):177-87.

The term or “PD-Ligand 1” or “PD-L1” include isoforms, mammalian, e.g., human PD-1, species homologs of human PD-L1, and analogs comprising at least one common epitope with PD-L1. The amino acid sequence of PD-L1, e.g., human PD-L1, is known in the art

The term “Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3” or “LAG-3” include all isoforms, mammalian, e.g., human LAG-3, species homologs of human LAG-3, and analogs comprising at least one common epitope with LAG-3. The amino acid and nucleotide sequences of LAG-3, e.g., human LAG-3, is known in the art, e.g., Triebel et al. (1990) J. Exp. Med. 171:1393-1405.

As used herein, “TIM-3” refers to a transmembrane receptor protein that is expressed on Th1 (T helper 1) cells. TIM-3 has a role in regulating immunity and tolerance in vivo (see Hastings et al., Eur J Immunol. 2009 September; 39(9):2492-501).

The term “Carcinoembryonic Antigen-related Cell Adhesion Molecule” or “CEACAM” includes all family members (e.g., CEACAM-1, CEACAM-3, or CEACAM-5), isoforms, mammalian, e.g., human CEACAM, species homologs of human CEACAM, and analogs comprising at least one common epitope with CEACAM. The amino acid sequence of CEACAM, e.g., human CEACAM, is known in the art, e.g., Hinoda et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85 (18), 6959-6963; Zimmermann W. et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84 (9), 2960-2964; Thompson J. et al. (1989) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 158 (3), 996-1004.

Additional terms are defined below and throughout the application.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one (e.g., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.

The term “or” is used herein to mean, and is used interchangeably with, the term “and/or”, unless context clearly indicates otherwise.

“About” and “approximately” shall generally mean an acceptable degree of error for the quantity measured given the nature or precision of the measurements. Exemplary degrees of error are within 20 percent (%), typically, within 10%, and more typically, within 5% of a given value or range of values.

The compositions and methods of the present disclosure encompass polypeptides and nucleic acids having the sequences specified, or sequences substantially identical or similar thereto, e.g., sequences at least 85%, 90%, 95% identical or higher to the sequence specified. In the context of an amino acid sequence, the term “substantially identical” is used herein to refer to a first amino acid that contains a sufficient or minimum number of amino acid residues that are i) identical to, or ii) conservative substitutions of aligned amino acid residues in a second amino acid sequence such that the first and second amino acid sequences can have a common structural domain and/or common functional activity. For example, amino acid sequences that contain a common structural domain having at least about 85%, 90%. 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to a reference sequence, e.g., a sequence provided herein.

In the context of nucleotide sequence, the term “substantially identical” is used herein to refer to a first nucleic acid sequence that contains a sufficient or minimum number of nucleotides that are identical to aligned nucleotides in a second nucleic acid sequence such that the first and second nucleotide sequences encode a polypeptide having common functional activity, or encode a common structural polypeptide domain or a common functional polypeptide activity. For example, nucleotide sequences having at least about 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to a reference sequence, e.g., a sequence provided herein.

The term “functional variant” refers polypeptides that have a substantially identical amino acid sequence to the naturally-occurring sequence, or are encoded by a substantially identical nucleotide sequence, and are capable of having one or more activities of the naturally-occurring sequence.

Calculations of homology or sequence identity between sequences (the terms are used interchangeably herein) are performed as follows.

To determine the percent identity of two amino acid sequences, or of two nucleic acid sequences, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). In a preferred embodiment, the length of a reference sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, 60%, and even more preferably at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% of the length of the reference sequence. The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position (as used herein amino acid or nucleic acid “identity” is equivalent to amino acid or nucleic acid “homology”).

The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences.

The comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman and Wunsch ((1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:444-453) algorithm which has been incorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package (available at http://www.gcg.com), using either a Blossum 62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In yet another preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two nucleotide sequences is determined using the GAP program in the GCG software package (available at http://www.gcg.com), using a NWSgapdna.CMP matrix and a gap weight of 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. A particularly preferred set of parameters (and the one that should be used unless otherwise specified) are a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5.

The percent identity between two amino acid or nucleotide sequences can be determined using the algorithm of E. Meyers and W. Miller ((1989) CABIOS, 4:11-17) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4.

The nucleic acid and protein sequences described herein can be used as a “query sequence” to perform a search against public databases to, for example, identify other family members or related sequences. Such searches can be performed using the NBLAST and XBLAST programs (version 2.0) of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to a nucleic acid molecules of the disclosure. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to protein molecules of the disclosure. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

As used herein, the term “hybridizes under low stringency, medium stringency, high stringency, or very high stringency conditions” describes conditions for hybridization and washing. Guidance for performing hybridization reactions can be found in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. (1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6, which is incorporated by reference. Aqueous and nonaqueous methods are described in that reference and either can be used. Specific hybridization conditions referred to herein are as follows: 1) low stringency hybridization conditions in 6× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at about 45° C., followed by two washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at least at 50° C. (the temperature of the washes can be increased to 55° C. for low stringency conditions); 2) medium stringency hybridization conditions in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 60° C.; 3) high stringency hybridization conditions in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.; and preferably 4) very high stringency hybridization conditions are 0.5M sodium phosphate, 7% SDS at 65° C., followed by one or more washes at 0.2×SSC, 1% SDS at 65° C. Very high stringency conditions (4) are the preferred conditions and the ones that should be used unless otherwise specified.

It is understood that the molecules of the present disclosure may have additional conservative or non-essential amino acid substitutions, which do not have a substantial effect on their functions.

The term “amino acid” is intended to embrace all molecules, whether natural or synthetic, which include both an amino functionality and an acid functionality and capable of being included in a polymer of naturally-occurring amino acids. Exemplary amino acids include naturally-occurring amino acids; analogs, derivatives and congeners thereof; amino acid analogs having variant side chains; and all stereoisomers of any of any of the foregoing. As used herein the term “amino acid” includes both the D- or L-optical isomers and peptidomimetics.

A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine).

The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide” and “protein” (if single chain) are used interchangeably herein to refer to polymers of amino acids of any length. The polymer may be linear or branched, it may comprise modified amino acids, and it may be interrupted by non-amino acids. The terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified; for example, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation, such as conjugation with a labeling component. The polypeptide can be isolated from natural sources, can be a produced by recombinant techniques from a eukaryotic or prokaryotic host, or can be a product of synthetic procedures.

The terms “nucleic acid,” “nucleic acid sequence,” “nucleotide sequence,” or “polynucleotide sequence,” and “polynucleotide” are used interchangeably. They refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. The polynucleotide may be either single-stranded or double-stranded, and if single-stranded may be the coding strand or non-coding (antisense) strand. A polynucleotide may comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. The sequence of nucleotides may be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide may be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component. The nucleic acid may be a recombinant polynucleotide, or a polynucleotide of genomic, cDNA, semisynthetic, or synthetic origin which either does not occur in nature or is linked to another polynucleotide in a nonnatural arrangement.

The term “isolated,” as used herein, refers to material that is removed from its original or native environment (e.g., the natural environment if it is naturally occurring). For example, a naturally-occurring polynucleotide or polypeptide present in a living animal is not isolated, but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide, separated by human intervention from some or all of the co-existing materials in the natural system, is isolated. Such polynucleotides could be part of a vector and/or such polynucleotides or polypeptides could be part of a composition, and still be isolated in that such vector or composition is not part of the environment in which it is found in nature.

Various aspects of the disclosure are described in further detail below. Additional definitions are set out throughout the specification.

Antibody Molecules

In one embodiment, the antibody molecule binds to a mammalian, e.g., human, checkpoint molecule, e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, or TIM-3. For example, the antibody molecule binds specifically to an epitope, e.g., linear or conformational epitope, (e.g., an epitope as described herein) on PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, or TIM-3.

As used herein, the term “antibody molecule” refers to a protein comprising at least one immunoglobulin variable domain sequence. The term antibody molecule includes, for example, full-length, mature antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of an antibody. For example, an antibody molecule can include a heavy (H) chain variable domain sequence (abbreviated herein as VH), and a light (L) chain variable domain sequence (abbreviated herein as VL). In another example, an antibody molecule includes two heavy (H) chain variable domain sequences and two light (L) chain variable domain sequence, thereby forming two antigen binding sites, such as Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, Fc, Fd, Fd′, Fv, single chain antibodies (scFv for example), single variable domain antibodies, diabodies (Dab) (bivalent and bispecific), and chimeric (e.g., humanized) antibodies, which may be produced by the modification of whole antibodies or those synthesized de novo using recombinant DNA technologies. These functional antibody fragments retain the ability to selectively bind with their respective antigen or receptor. Antibodies and antibody fragments can be from any class of antibodies including, but not limited to, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE, and from any subclass (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) of antibodies. The antibodies of the present disclosure can be monoclonal or polyclonal. The antibody can also be a human, humanized, CDR-grafted, or in vitro generated antibody. The antibody can have a heavy chain constant region chosen from, e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. The antibody can also have a light chain chosen from, e.g., kappa or lambda.

Examples of antigen-binding fragments include: (i) a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL and CH1 domains; (ii) a F(ab′)2 fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1 domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody, (v) a diabody (dAb) fragment, which consists of a VH domain; (vi) a camelid or camelized variable domain; (vii) a single chain Fv (scFv), see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883); (viii) a single domain antibody. These antibody fragments are obtained using conventional techniques known to those with skill in the art, and the fragments are screened for utility in the same manner as are intact antibodies.

The term “antibody” includes intact molecules as well as functional fragments thereof. Constant regions of the antibodies can be altered, e.g., mutated, to modify the properties of the antibody (e.g., to increase or decrease one or more of: Fc receptor binding, antibody glycosylation, the number of cysteine residues, effector cell function, or complement function).

Antibody molecules can also be single domain antibodies. Single domain antibodies can include antibodies whose complementary determining regions are part of a single domain polypeptide. Examples include, but are not limited to, heavy chain antibodies, antibodies naturally devoid of light chains, single domain antibodies derived from conventional 4-chain antibodies, engineered antibodies and single domain scaffolds other than those derived from antibodies. Single domain antibodies may be any of the art, or any future single domain antibodies. Single domain antibodies may be derived from any species including, but not limited to mouse, human, camel, llama, fish, shark, goat, rabbit, and bovine. According to another aspect of the disclosure, a single domain antibody is a naturally occurring single domain antibody known as heavy chain antibody devoid of light chains. Such single domain antibodies are disclosed in WO 9404678, for example. For clarity reasons, this variable domain derived from a heavy chain antibody naturally devoid of light chain is known herein as a VHH or nanobody to distinguish it from the conventional VH of four chain immunoglobulins. Such a VHH molecule can be derived from antibodies raised in Camelidae species, for example in camel, llama, dromedary, alpaca and guanaco. Other species besides Camelidae may produce heavy chain antibodies naturally devoid of light chain; such VHHs are within the scope of the disclosure.

The VH and VL regions can be subdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed “complementarity determining regions” (CDR), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed “framework regions” (FR or FW).

The extent of the framework region and CDRs has been precisely defined by a number of methods (see, Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242; Chothia, C. et al. (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917; and the AbM definition used by Oxford Molecular's AbM antibody modeling software. See, generally, e.g., Protein Sequence and Structure Analysis of Antibody Variable Domains. In: Antibody Engineering Lab Manual (Ed.: Duebel, S. and Kontermann, R., Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg).

The terms “complementarity determining region,” and “CDR,” as used herein refer to the sequences of amino acids within antibody variable regions which confer antigen specificity and binding affinity. In general, there are three CDRs in each heavy chain variable region (HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3) and three CDRs in each light chain variable region (LCDR1, LCDR2, LCDR3).

The precise amino acid sequence boundaries of a given CDR can be determined using any of a number of well-known schemes, including those described by Kabat et al. (1991), “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,” 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (“Kabat” numbering scheme), Al-Lazikani et al., (1997) JMB 273,927-948 (“Chothia” numbering scheme). As used herein, the CDRs defined according the “Chothia” number scheme are also sometimes referred to as “hypervariable loops.”

For example, under Kabat, the CDR amino acid residues in the heavy chain variable domain (VH) are numbered 31-35 (HCDR1), 50-65 (HCDR2), and 95-102 (HCDR3); and the CDR amino acid residues in the light chain variable domain (VL) are numbered 24-34 (LCDR1), 50-56 (LCDR2), and 89-97 (LCDR3). Under Chothia the CDR amino acids in the VH are numbered 26-32 (HCDR1), 52-56 (HCDR2), and 95-102 (HCDR3); and the amino acid residues in VL are numbered 26-32 (LCDR1), 50-52 (LCDR2), and 91-96 (LCDR3). By combining the CDR definitions of both Kabat and Chothia, the CDRs consist of amino acid residues 26-35 (HCDR1), 50-65 (HCDR2), and 95-102 (HCDR3) in human VH and amino acid residues 24-34 (LCDR1), 50-56 (LCDR2), and 89-97 (LCDR3) in human VL.

As used herein, an “immunoglobulin variable domain sequence” refers to an amino acid sequence which can form the structure of an immunoglobulin variable domain. For example, the sequence may include all or part of the amino acid sequence of a naturally-occurring variable domain. For example, the sequence may or may not include one, two, or more N- or C-terminal amino acids, or may include other alterations that are compatible with formation of the protein structure.

The term “antigen-binding site” refers to the part of an antibody molecule that comprises determinants that form an interface that binds to the PD-1 polypeptide, or an epitope thereof. With respect to proteins (or protein mimetics), the antigen-binding site typically includes one or more loops (of at least four amino acids or amino acid mimics) that form an interface that binds to the PD-1 polypeptide. Typically, the antigen-binding site of an antibody molecule includes at least one or two CDRs and/or hypervariable loops, or more typically at least three, four, five or six CDRs and/or hypervariable loops.

The terms “monoclonal antibody” or “monoclonal antibody composition” as used herein refer to a preparation of antibody molecules of single molecular composition. A monoclonal antibody composition displays a single binding specificity and affinity for a particular epitope. A monoclonal antibody can be made by hybridoma technology or by methods that do not use hybridoma technology (e.g., recombinant methods).

An “effectively human” protein is a protein that does not evoke a neutralizing antibody response, e.g., the human anti-murine antibody (HAMA) response. HAMA can be problematic in a number of circumstances, e.g., if the antibody molecule is administered repeatedly, e.g., in treatment of a chronic or recurrent disease condition. A HAMA response can make repeated antibody administration potentially ineffective because of an increased antibody clearance from the serum (see, e.g., Saleh et al., Cancer Immunol. Immunother., 32:180-190 (1990)) and also because of potential allergic reactions (see, e.g., LoBuglio et al., Hybridoma, 5:5117-5123 (1986)).

The antibody molecule can be a polyclonal or a monoclonal antibody. In other embodiments, the antibody can be recombinantly produced, e.g., produced by phage display or by combinatorial methods.

Phage display and combinatorial methods for generating antibodies are known in the art (as described in, e.g., Ladner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; Kang et al. International Publication No. WO 92/18619; Dower et al. International Publication No. WO 91/17271; Winter et al. International Publication WO 92/20791; Markland et al. International Publication No. WO 92/15679; Breitling et al. International Publication WO 93/01288; McCafferty et al. International Publication No. WO 92/01047; Garrard et al. International Publication No. WO 92/09690; Ladner et al. International Publication No. WO 90/02809; Fuchs et al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9:1370-1372; Hay et al. (1992) Hum Antibod Hybridomas 3:81-85; Huse et al. (1989) Science 246:1275-1281; Griffths et al. (1993) EMBO J 12:725-734; Hawkins et al. (1992) J Mol Biol 226:889-896; Clackson et al. (1991) Nature 352:624-628; Gram et al. (1992) PNAS 89:3576-3580; Garrad et al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9:1373-1377; Hoogenboom et al. (1991) Nuc Acid Res 19:4133-4137; and Barbas et al. (1991) PNAS 88:7978-7982, the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein).

In one embodiment, the antibody is a fully human antibody (e.g., an antibody made in a mouse which has been genetically engineered to produce an antibody from a human immunoglobulin sequence), or a non-human antibody, e.g., a rodent (mouse or rat), goat, primate (e.g., monkey), camel antibody. Preferably, the non-human antibody is a rodent (mouse or rat antibody). Methods of producing rodent antibodies are known in the art.

Human monoclonal antibodies can be generated using transgenic mice carrying the human immunoglobulin genes rather than the mouse system. Splenocytes from these transgenic mice immunized with the antigen of interest are used to produce hybridomas that secrete human mAbs with specific affinities for epitopes from a human protein (see, e.g., Wood et al. International Application WO 91/00906, Kucherlapati et al. PCT publication WO 91/10741; Lonberg et al. International Application WO 92/03918; Kay et al. International Application 92/03917; Lonberg, N. et al. 1994 Nature 368:856-859; Green, L. L. et al. 1994 Nature Genet. 7:13-21; Morrison, S. L. et al. 1994 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855; Bruggeman et al. 1993 Year Immunol 7:33-40; Tuaillon et al. 1993 PNAS 90:3720-3724; Bruggeman et al. 1991 Eur J Immunol 21:1323-1326).

An antibody can be one in which the variable region, or a portion thereof, e.g., the CDRs, are generated in a non-human organism, e.g., a rat or mouse. Chimeric, CDR-grafted, and humanized antibodies are within the disclosure. Antibodies generated in a non-human organism, e.g., a rat or mouse, and then modified, e.g., in the variable framework or constant region, to decrease antigenicity in a human are within the disclosure.

Chimeric antibodies can be produced by recombinant DNA techniques known in the art (see Robinson et al., International Patent Publication PCT/US86/02269; Akira, et al., European Patent Application 184,187; Taniguchi, M., European Patent Application 171,496; Morrison et al., European Patent Application 173,494; Neuberger et al., International Application WO 86/01533; Cabilly et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Cabilly et al., European Patent Application 125,023; Better et al. (1988 Science 240:1041-1043); Liu et al. (1987) PNAS 84:3439-3443; Liu et al., 1987, J. Immunol. 139:3521-3526; Sun et al. (1987) PNAS 84:214-218; Nishimura et al., 1987, Canc. Res. 47:999-1005; Wood et al. (1985) Nature 314:446-449; and Shaw et al., 1988, J. Natl Cancer Inst. 80:1553-1559).

A humanized or CDR-grafted antibody will have at least one or two but generally all three recipient CDRs (of heavy and or light immuoglobulin chains) replaced with a donor CDR. The antibody may be replaced with at least a portion of a non-human CDR or only some of the CDRs may be replaced with non-human CDRs. It is only necessary to replace the number of CDRs required for binding of the humanized antibody to PD-1. Preferably, the donor will be a rodent antibody, e.g., a rat or mouse antibody, and the recipient will be a human framework or a human consensus framework. Typically, the immunoglobulin providing the CDRs is called the “donor” and the immunoglobulin providing the framework is called the “acceptor.” In one embodiment, the donor immunoglobulin is a non-human (e.g., rodent). The acceptor framework is a naturally-occurring (e.g., a human) framework or a consensus framework, or a sequence about 85% or higher, preferably 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

As used herein, the term “consensus sequence” refers to the sequence formed from the most frequently occurring amino acids (or nucleotides) in a family of related sequences (See e.g., Winnaker, From Genes to Clones (Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, Germany 1987). In a family of proteins, each position in the consensus sequence is occupied by the amino acid occurring most frequently at that position in the family. If two amino acids occur equally frequently, either can be included in the consensus sequence. A “consensus framework” refers to the framework region in the consensus immunoglobulin sequence.

An antibody can be humanized by methods known in the art (see e.g., Morrison, S. L., 1985, Science 229:1202-1207, by Oi et al., 1986, BioTechniques 4:214, and by Queen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,761 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,762, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference).

Humanized or CDR-grafted antibodies can be produced by CDR-grafting or CDR substitution, wherein one, two, or all CDRs of an immunoglobulin chain can be replaced. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539; Jones et al. 1986 Nature 321:552-525; Verhoeyan et al. 1988 Science 239:1534; Beidler et al. 1988 J. Immunol. 141:4053-4060; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539, the contents of all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Winter describes a CDR-grafting method which may be used to prepare the humanized antibodies of the present disclosure (UK Patent Application GB 2188638A, filed on Mar. 26, 1987; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539), the contents of which is expressly incorporated by reference.

Also within the scope of the disclosure are humanized antibodies in which specific amino acids have been substituted, deleted or added. Criteria for selecting amino acids from the donor are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, e.g., columns 12-16 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, e.g., columns 12-16 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other techniques for humanizing antibodies are described in Padlan et al. EP 519596 A1, published on Dec. 23, 1992.

The antibody molecule can be a single chain antibody. A single-chain antibody (scFV) may be engineered (see, for example, Colcher, D. et al. (1999) Ann N Y Acad Sci 880:263-80; and Reiter, Y. (1996) Clin Cancer Res 2:245-52). The single chain antibody can be dimerized or multimerized to generate multivalent antibodies having specificities for different epitopes of the same target protein.

In yet other embodiments, the antibody molecule has a heavy chain constant region chosen from, e.g., the heavy chain constant regions of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, and IgE; particularly, chosen from, e.g., the (e.g., human) heavy chain constant regions of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. In another embodiment, the antibody molecule has a light chain constant region chosen from, e.g., the (e.g., human) light chain constant regions of kappa or lambda. The constant region can be altered, e.g., mutated, to modify the properties of the antibody (e.g., to increase or decrease one or more of: Fc receptor binding, antibody glycosylation, the number of cysteine residues, effector cell function, and/or complement function). In one embodiment the antibody has: effector function; and can fix complement. In other embodiments the antibody does not; recruit effector cells; or fix complement. In another embodiment, the antibody has reduced or no ability to bind an Fc receptor. For example, it is a isotype or subtype, fragment or other mutant, which does not support binding to an Fc receptor, e.g., it has a mutagenized or deleted Fc receptor binding region.

Methods for altering an antibody constant region are known in the art. Antibodies with altered function, e.g. altered affinity for an effector ligand, such as FcR on a cell, or the C1 component of complement can be produced by replacing at least one amino acid residue in the constant portion of the antibody with a different residue (see e.g., EP 388,151 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,260, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference). Similar type of alterations could be described which if applied to the murine, or other species immunoglobulin would reduce or eliminate these functions.

An antibody molecule can be derivatized or linked to another functional molecule (e.g., another peptide or protein). As used herein, a “derivatized” antibody molecule is one that has been modified. Methods of derivatization include but are not limited to the addition of a fluorescent moiety, a radionucleotide, a toxin, an enzyme or an affinity ligand such as biotin. Accordingly, the antibody molecules of the disclosure are intended to include derivatized and otherwise modified forms of the antibodies described herein, including immunoadhesion molecules. For example, an antibody molecule can be functionally linked (by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, noncovalent association or otherwise) to one or more other molecular entities, such as another antibody (e.g., a bispecific antibody or a diabody), a detectable agent, a cytotoxic agent, a pharmaceutical agent, and/or a protein or peptide that can mediate association of the antibody or antibody portion with another molecule (such as a streptavidin core region or a polyhistidine tag).

One type of derivatized antibody molecule is produced by crosslinking two or more antibodies (of the same type or of different types, e.g., to create bispecific antibodies). Suitable crosslinkers include those that are heterobifunctional, having two distinctly reactive groups separated by an appropriate spacer (e.g., m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) or homobifunctional (e.g., disuccinimidyl suberate). Such linkers are available from Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.

An antibody molecules may be conjugated to another molecular entity, typically a label or a therapeutic (e.g., a cytotoxic or cytostatic) agent or moiety. Radioactive isotopes can be used in diagnostic or therapeutic applications. Radioactive isotopes that can be coupled to the anti-PSMA antibodies include, but are not limited to α-, β-, or γ-emitters, or β- and γ-emitters. Such radioactive isotopes include, but are not limited to iodine (¹³¹I or ¹²⁵I), yttrium (⁹⁰Y), lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu), actinium (²²⁵Ac), praseodymium, astatine (²¹¹ At) rhenium (¹⁸⁶Re), bismuth (²¹²Bi or ²¹³Bi), indium (¹¹¹In) technetium (⁹⁹mTc), phosphorus (³²P), rhodium (¹⁸⁸Rh), sulfur (³⁵S), carbon (¹⁴C), tritium (³H), chromium (⁵¹Cr), chlorine (³⁶Cl), cobalt (⁵⁷Co or ⁵⁸Co), iron (⁵⁹Fe), selenium (⁷⁵Se), or gallium (⁶⁷Ga). Radioisotopes useful as therapeutic agents include yttrium (⁹⁰Y), lutetium (¹⁷⁷Lu), actinium (²²⁵Ac), praseodymium, astatine (²¹¹At), rhenium (¹⁸⁶Re), bismuth (²¹²Bi or ²¹³Bi), and rhodium (¹⁸⁸Rh). Radioisotopes useful as labels, e.g., for use in diagnostics, include iodine (¹³¹I or ¹²⁵I), indium (¹¹¹In) technetium (⁹⁹mTc), phosphorus (³²P), carbon (¹⁴C), and tritium (³H), or one or more of the therapeutic isotopes listed above.

The disclosure provides radiolabeled antibody molecules and methods of labeling the same. In one embodiment, a method of labeling an antibody molecule is disclosed. The method includes contacting an antibody molecule, with a chelating agent, to thereby produce a conjugated antibody. The conjugated antibody is radiolabeled with a radioisotope, e.g., ¹¹¹Indium, ⁹⁰Yttrium and ¹⁷⁷Lutetium, to thereby produce a labeled antibody molecule.

As is discussed above, the antibody molecule can be conjugated to a therapeutic agent. Therapeutically active radioisotopes have already been mentioned. Examples of other therapeutic agents include taxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicine, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, puromycin, maytansinoids, e.g., maytansinol (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020), CC-1065 (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,092, 5,585,499, 5,846,545) and analogs or homologs thereof. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, CC-1065, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) and lomustine (CCNU), cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C, and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin), anthracyclinies (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) and doxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin, and anthramycin (AMC)), and anti-mitotic agents (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, taxol and maytansinoids).

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Kits

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides compositions, e.g., pharmaceutically acceptable compositions, which include an antibody molecule described herein, formulated together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. The carrier can be suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, rectal, spinal or epidermal administration (e.g. by injection or infusion).

The compositions of this disclosure may be in a variety of forms. These include, for example, liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage forms, such as liquid solutions (e.g., injectable and infusible solutions), dispersions or suspensions, liposomes and suppositories. The preferred form depends on the intended mode of administration and therapeutic application. Typical preferred compositions are in the form of injectable or infusible solutions. The preferred mode of administration is parenteral (e.g., intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular). In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is administered by intravenous infusion or injection. In another preferred embodiment, the antibody is administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.

The phrases “parenteral administration” and “administered parenterally” as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral and topical administration, usually by injection, and includes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural and intrasternal injection and infusion.

Therapeutic compositions typically should be sterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The composition can be formulated as a solution, microemulsion, dispersion, liposome, or other ordered structure suitable to high antibody concentration. Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound (i.e., antibody or antibody portion) in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying that yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof. The proper fluidity of a solution can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prolonged absorption of injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent that delays absorption, for example, monostearate salts and gelatin.

The antibody molecules can be administered by a variety of methods known in the art, although for many therapeutic applications, the preferred route/mode of administration is intravenous injection or infusion. For example, the antibody molecules can be administered by intravenous infusion at a rate of less than 10 mg/min; preferably less than or equal to 5 mg/min to reach a dose of about 1 to 100 mg/m², preferably about 5 to 50 mg/m², about 7 to 25 mg/m² and more preferably, about 10 mg/m². As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the route and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desired results. In certain embodiments, the active compound may be prepared with a carrier that will protect the compound against rapid release, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants, transdermal patches, and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Many methods for the preparation of such formulations are patented or generally known to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., Sustained and Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems, J. R. Robinson, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1978.

In certain embodiments, an antibody molecule can be orally administered, for example, with an inert diluent or an assimilable edible carrier. The compound (and other ingredients, if desired) may also be enclosed in a hard or soft shell gelatin capsule, compressed into tablets, or incorporated directly into the subject's diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the compounds may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. To administer a compound of the disclosure by other than parenteral administration, it may be necessary to coat the compound with, or co-administer the compound with, a material to prevent its inactivation. Therapeutic compositions can also be administered with medical devices known in the art.

Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the optimum desired response (e.g., a therapeutic response). For example, a single bolus may be administered, several divided doses may be administered over time or the dose may be proportionally reduced or increased as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation. It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subjects to be treated; each unit contains a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the dosage unit forms of the disclosure are dictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of sensitivity in individuals.

A “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic result. A therapeutically effective amount of the modified antibody or antibody fragment may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the individual, and the ability of the antibody or antibody portion to elicit a desired response in the individual. A therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the modified antibody or antibody fragment is outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects. A “therapeutically effective dosage” preferably inhibits a measurable parameter, e.g., tumor growth rate by at least about 20%, more preferably by at least about 40%, even more preferably by at least about 60%, and still more preferably by at least about 80% relative to untreated subjects. The ability of a compound to inhibit a measurable parameter, e.g., cancer, can be evaluated in an animal model system predictive of efficacy in human tumors. Alternatively, this property of a composition can be evaluated by examining the ability of the compound to inhibit, such inhibition in vitro by assays known to the skilled practitioner.

A “prophylactically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired prophylactic result. Typically, since a prophylactic dose is used in subjects prior to or at an earlier stage of disease, the prophylactically effective amount will be less than the therapeutically effective amount.

Methods of administering the antibody molecules are known in the art and are described below. Suitable dosages of the molecules used will depend on the age and weight of the subject and the particular drug used. Dosages and therapeutic regimens of the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule can be determined by a skilled artisan. In certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered by injection (e.g., subcutaneously or intravenously) at a dose of about 1 to 30 mg/kg, e.g., about 5 to 25 mg/kg, about 10 to 20 mg/kg, about 1 to 5 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg. The dosing schedule can vary from e.g., once a week to once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered at a dose from about 10 to 20 mg/kg every other week.

An exemplary, non-limiting range for a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an antibody molecule is 0.1-30 mg/kg, more preferably 1-25 mg/kg. Dosages and therapeutic regimens of the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule can be determined by a skilled artisan. In certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered by injection (e.g., subcutaneously or intravenously) at a dose of about 1 to 30 mg/kg, e.g., about 5 to 25 mg/kg, about 10 to 20 mg/kg, about 1 to 5 mg/kg, 1 to 10 mg/kg, 5 to 15 mg/kg, 10 to 20 mg/kg, 15 to 25 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg. The dosing schedule can vary from e.g., once a week to once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered at a dose from about 10 to 20 mg/kg every other week. The antibody molecule can be administered by intravenous infusion at a rate of less than 10 mg/min, preferably less than or equal to 5 mg/min to reach a dose of about 1 to 100 mg/m ², preferably about 5 to 50 mg/m², about 7 to 25 mg/m², and more preferably, about 10 mg/m². It is to be noted that dosage values may vary with the type and severity of the condition to be alleviated. It is to be further understood that for any particular subject, specific dosage regimens should be adjusted over time according to the individual need and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the administration of the compositions, and that dosage ranges set forth herein are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope or practice of the claimed composition.

The antibody molecules can be used by themselves or conjugated to a second agent, e.g., a cytotoxic drug, radioisotope, or a protein, e.g., a protein toxin or a viral protein. This method includes: administering the antibody molecule, alone or conjugated to a cytotoxic drug, to a subject requiring such treatment. The antibody molecules can be used to deliver a variety of therapeutic agents, e.g., a cytotoxic moiety, e.g., a therapeutic drug, a radioisotope, molecules of plant, fungal, or bacterial origin, or biological proteins (e.g., protein toxins) or particles (e.g., a recombinant viral particles, e.g.; via a viral coat protein), or mixtures thereof.

Also within the scope of the disclosure is a kit comprising a combination therapy described herein. The kit can include one or more other elements including: instructions for use; other reagents, e.g., a label, a therapeutic agent, or an agent useful for chelating, or otherwise coupling, an antibody to a label or therapeutic agent, or a radioprotective composition; devices or other materials for preparing the antibody for administration; pharmaceutically acceptable carriers; and devices or other materials for administration to a subject.

Uses of Combination Therapies

The combination therapies disclosed herein have in vitro and in vivo therapeutic and prophylactic utilities. For example, these molecules can be administered to cells in culture, in vitro or ex vivo, or to a subject, e.g., a human subject, to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose a variety of disorders, such as cancers.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of modifying an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject the antibody molecule described herein, such that the immune response in the subject is modified. In one embodiment, the immune response is enhanced, stimulated or up-regulated. In one embodiment, the antibody molecules enhance an immune response in a subject by blockade of a checkpoint inhibitor (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3 or TIM-3).

As used herein, the term “subject” is intended to include human and non-human animals. In one embodiment, the subject is a human subject, e.g., a human patient having a disorder or condition characterized by abnormal immune functioning. The term “non-human animals” includes mammals and non-mammals, such as non-human primates. In one embodiment, the subject is a human. In one embodiment, the subject is a human patient in need of enhancement of an immune response. In one embodiment, the subject is immunocompromised, e.g., the subject is undergoing, or has undergone a chemotherapeutic or radiation therapy. Alternatively, or in combination, the subject is, or is at risk of being, immunocompromised as a result of an infection. The methods and compositions described herein are suitable for treating human patients having a disorder that can be treated by augmenting the T-cell mediated immune response. For example, the methods and compositions described herein can enhance a number of immune activities. In one embodiment, the subject has increased number or activity of tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). In another embodiment, the subject has increased expression or activity of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). In yet another embodiment, the subject has decreased PD-L1 expression or activity.

Cancer

Blockade of checkpoint inhibitors, e.g., PD-1, can enhance an immune response to cancerous cells in a subject. The ligand for PD-1, PD-L1, is not expressed in normal human cells, but is abundant in a variety of human cancers (Dong et al. (2002) Nat Med 8:787-9). The interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 can result in a decrease in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, a decrease in T-cell receptor mediated proliferation, and/or immune evasion by the cancerous cells (Dong et al. (2003) J Mol Med 81:281-7; Blank et al. (2005) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 54:307-314; Konishi et al. (2004) Clin. Cancer Res. 10:5094-100).

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to treatment of a subject in vivo using an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody molecule such that growth of cancerous tumors is inhibited or reduced. An anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody may be used alone to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. Alternatively, an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody may be used in combination with one or more of: an agent disclosed in Table 1, a standard of care treatment (e.g., for cancers), another antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, another immunomodulator (e.g., an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an inhibitory molecule); a vaccine, e.g., a therapeutic cancer vaccine; or other forms of cellular immunotherapy, as described below.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of inhibiting growth of tumor cells in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a combination therapy disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the methods are suitable for the treatment of cancer in vivo. When antibodies to PD-1 are administered in combination with one or more agents, the combination can be administered in either order or simultaneously.

In another aspect, a method of treating a subject, e.g., reducing or ameliorating, a hyperproliferative condition or disorder (e.g., a cancer), e.g., solid tumor, a soft tissue tumor, or a metastatic lesion, in a subject is provided. The method includes administering to the subject one or more anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecules described herein, alone or in combination with other agents or therapeutic modalities.

As used herein, the term “cancer” is meant to include all types of cancerous growths or oncogenic processes, metastatic tissues or malignantly transformed cells, tissues, or organs, irrespective of histopathologic type or stage of invasiveness. Examples of cancerous disorders include, but are not limited to, solid tumors, soft tissue tumors, and metastatic lesions. Examples of solid tumors include malignancies, e.g., sarcomas, adenocarcinomas, and carcinomas, of the various organ systems, such as those affecting liver, lung, breast, lymphoid, gastrointestinal (e.g., colon), genitourinary tract (e.g., renal, urothelial cells), prostate and pharynx. Adenocarcinomas include malignancies such as most colon cancers, rectal cancer, renal-cell carcinoma, liver cancer, non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, cancer of the small intestine and cancer of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the cancer is a melanoma, e.g., an advanced stage melanoma. Metastatic lesions of the aforementioned cancers can also be treated or prevented using the methods and compositions of the disclosure.

Exemplary cancers whose growth can be inhibited using the antibodies molecules disclosed herein include cancers typically responsive to immunotherapy. Non-limiting examples of preferred cancers for treatment include melanoma (e.g., metastatic malignant melanoma), renal cancer (e.g., clear cell carcinoma), prostate cancer (e.g., hormone refractory prostate adenocarcinoma), breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung cancer). Additionally, refractory or recurrent malignancies can be treated using the antibody molecules described herein.

Examples of other cancers that can be treated include bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the head or neck, cutaneous or intraocular malignant melanoma, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, gastro-esophageal, stomach cancer, testicular cancer, uterine cancer, carcinoma of the fallopian tubes, carcinoma of the endometrium, carcinoma of the cervix, carcinoma of the vagina, carcinoma of the vulva, Hodgkin's Disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the small intestine, cancer of the endocrine system, cancer of the thyroid gland, cancer of the parathyroid gland, cancer of the adrenal gland, sarcoma of soft tissue, cancer of the urethra, cancer of the penis, chronic or acute leukemias including acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, solid tumors of childhood, lymphocytic lymphoma, cancer of the bladder, cancer of the kidney or ureter, carcinoma of the renal pelvis, neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS), primary CNS lymphoma, tumor angiogenesis, spinal axis tumor, brain stem glioma, pituitary adenoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, epidermoid cancer, squamous cell cancer, T-cell lymphoma, environmentally induced cancers including those induced by asbestos, and combinations of said cancers.

Treatment of metastatic cancers, e.g., metastatic cancers that express PD-L1 (Iwai et al. (2005) Int. Immunol. 17:133-144) can be effected using the antibody molecules described herein. In one embodiment, the cancer expresses an elevated level of PD-L1, IFNγ and /or CD8.

Hematological cancer conditions are the types of cancer such as leukemia and malignant lymphoproliferative conditions that affect blood, bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Leukemia can be classified as acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia can be further classified as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Chronic leukemia includes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). Other related conditions include myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS, formerly known as “preleukemia”) which are a diverse collection of hematological conditions united by ineffective production (or dysplasia) of myeloid blood cells and risk of transformation to AML.

In other embodiments, the cancer is a hematological malignancy or cancer including but is not limited to a leukemia or a lymphoma. For example, the combination therapy can be used to treat cancers and malignancies including, but not limited to, e.g., acute leukemias including but not limited to, e.g., B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia (“BALL”), T-cell acute lymphoid leukemia (“TALL”), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL); one or more chronic leukemias including but not limited to, e.g., chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); additional hematologic cancers or hematologic conditions including, but not limited to, e.g., B cell prolymphocytic leukemia, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, Burkitt's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Follicular lymphoma, Hairy cell leukemia, small cell- or a large cell-follicular lymphoma, malignant lymphoproliferative conditions, MALT lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, Marginal zone lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplasia and myelodysplastic syndrome, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, plasmablastic lymphoma, plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and “preleukemia” which are a diverse collection of hematological conditions united by ineffective production (or dysplasia) of myeloid blood cells, and the like. In some embodiments, the lymphoma (e.g., an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) has, or is identified as having, an ALK translocation, e.g., an EML4-ALK fusion.

In one embodiment, the cancer is chosen from a lung cancer (e.g., a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (e.g., a NSCLC with squamous and/or non-squamous histology)), a melanoma (e.g., an advanced melanoma), a renal cancer (e.g., a renal cell carcinoma, e.g., clear cell renal cell carcinoma), a liver cancer, a myeloma (e.g., a multiple myeloma), a prostate cancer, a breast cancer (e.g., a breast cancer that does not express one, two or all of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or Her2/neu, e.g., a triple negative breast cancer), a colorectal cancer, a pancreatic cancer, a head and neck cancer (e.g., head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), anal cancer, gastro-esophageal cancer, thyroid cancer, cervical cancer, a lymphoproliferative disease (e.g., a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease) or a hematological cancer, T-cell lymphoma, a non-Hogdkin's lymphoma, or a leukemia (e.g., a myeloid leukemia).

In another embodiment, the cancer is chosen form a carcinoma (e.g., advanced or metastatic carcinoma), melanoma or a lung carcinoma, e.g., a non-small cell lung carcinoma.

In one embodiment, the cancer is a lung cancer, e.g., a non-small cell lung cancer. In certain embodiments, the lung cancer, e.g., the non-small cell lung cancer, has, or is identified as having, an ALK rearrangement or translocation, e.g., an ALK fusion, e.g., an EML4-ALK fusion.

In another embodiment, the cancer is a hepatocarcinoma, e.g., an advanced hepatocarcinoma, with or without a viral infection, e.g., a chronic viral hepatitis.

In another embodiment, the cancer is a prostate cancer, e.g., an advanced prostate cancer.

In yet another embodiment, the cancer is a myeloma, e.g., multiple myeloma.

In yet another embodiment, the cancer is a renal cancer, e.g., a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (e.g., a metastatic RCC or clear cell renal cell carcinoma).

In one embodiment, the cancer is a melanoma, e.g., an advanced melanoma. In one embodiment, the cancer is an advanced or unresectable melanoma that does not respond to other therapies. In other embodiments, the cancer is a melanoma with a BRAF mutation (e.g., a BRAF V600 mutation). In yet other embodiments, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is administered after treatment with an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., ipilimumab) with or without a BRAF inhibitor (e.g., vemurafenib or dabrafenib).

In another embodiment, the cancer is an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). In certain embodiments, the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor has, or is identified as having, an ALK rearrangement or translocation, e.g., an ALK fusion, e.g., an EML4-ALK fusion.

In yet another embodiment, the cancer is a neuroblastoma. In certain embodiments, the neuroblastoma has, or is identified as having, an ALK rearrangement or translocation, e.g., an ALK fusion, e.g., an EML4-ALK fusion. Methods and compositions disclosed herein are useful for treating metastatic lesions associated with the aforementioned cancers.

Combination Therapies

The methods and compositions described herein can be administered in combination with one or more of: an immunomodulator (e.g., an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an inhibitory molecule); a vaccine, e.g., a therapeutic cancer vaccine; or other forms of cellular immunotherapy.

By “in combination with,” it is not intended to imply that the therapy or the therapeutic agents must be administered at the same time and/or formulated for delivery together, although these methods of delivery are within the scope described herein. The immunomodulator and the second therapeutic agent can be administered concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, one or more other additional therapies or therapeutic agents. The agents in the combination can be administered in any order. In general, each agent will be administered at a dose and/or on a time schedule determined for that agent. In will further be appreciated that the additional therapeutic agent utilized in this combination may be administered together in a single composition or administered separately in different compositions. In general, it is expected that additional therapeutic agents utilized in combination be utilized at levels that do not exceed the levels at which they are utilized individually. In some embodiments, the levels utilized in combination will be lower than those utilized individually.

In one embodiment, the combination therapies disclosed herein include an inhibitor of an inhibitory molecule of an immune checkpoint molecule. The term “immune checkpoints” refers to a group of molecules on the cell surface of CD4 and CD8 T cells. These molecules can effectively serve as “brakes” to down-modulate or inhibit an anti-tumor immune response. Immune checkpoint molecules include, but are not limited to, Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4), B7H1, B7H4, OX-40, CD137, CD40, and LAG3, which directly inhibit immune cells, immunotherapeutic agents which can act as immune checkpoint inhibitors useful in the methods of the present disclosure, include, but are not limited to, inhibitors of PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA4, TIM3, LAG3, VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4 and/or TGFR beta. Inhibition of an inhibitory molecule can be performed by inhibition at the DNA, RNA or protein level. In embodiments, an inhibitory nucleic acid (e.g., a dsRNA, siRNA or shRNA), can be used to inhibit expression of an inhibitory molecule. In other embodiments, the inhibitor of an inhibitory signal is, a polypeptide e.g., a soluble ligand, or an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to the inhibitory molecule.

In certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 molecules described herein are administered in combination with one or more other inhibitors of PD-1, PD-L1 and/or PD-L2 known in the art. The antagonist may be an antibody, an antigen binding fragment thereof, an immunoadhesin, a fusion protein, or oligopeptide.

In some embodiments, the other anti-PD-1 antibody is chosen from MDX-1106, Merck 3475 or CT-011.

In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is an immunoadhesin (e.g., an immunoadhesin comprising an extracellular or PD-1 binding portion of PD-L1 or PD-L2 fused to a constant region (e.g., an Fc region of an immunoglobulin sequence).

In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is AMP-224. In some embodiments, the PD-L1 inhibitor is anti-PD-L1 antibody.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-L1 binding antagonist is chosen from YW243.55.S70, MPDL3280A, MEDI-4736, MSB-0010718C, or MDX-1105. MDX-1105, also known as BMS-936559, is an anti-PD-L1 antibody described in WO2007/005874. Antibody YW243.55.S70 (heavy and light chain variable region sequences shown in SEQ ID Nos. 20 and 21, respectively) is an anti-PD-L1 described in WO 2010/077634.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Nivolumab. Alternative names for Nivolumab include MDX-1106, MDX-1106-04, ONO-4538, or BMS-936558. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Nivolumab (CAS Registry Number: 946414-94-4). Nivolumab (also referred to as BMS-936558 or MDX1106; Bristol-Myers Squibb) is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody which specifically blocks PD-1. Nivolumab (clone 5C4) and other human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to PD-1 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,008,449, EP2161336 and WO2006/121168. The heavy and light chain amino acid sequences of Nivolumab are as follows:

Heavy chain (SEQ ID NO: 2) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLDCKASGITFSNSGMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVAV IWYDGSKRYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLFLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCATND DYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPV TVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDH KPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTP EVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLT VLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEE MTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLY SRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK Light chain (SEQ ID NO: 3) EIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSCRASQSVSSYLAWYQQKPGQAPRLLIYD ASNRATGIPARFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLEPEDFAVYYCQQSSNWPRTFGQ GTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKV DNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQG LSSPVTKSFNRGEC Nivolumab is the preferred combination partner.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab (also referred to as Lambrolizumab, MK-3475, MK03475, SCH-900475 or KEYTRUDA®; Merck) is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-1. Pembrolizumab and other humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies are disclosed in Hamid, O. et al. (2013) New England Journal of Medicine 369 (2): 134-44, U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,509 and WO2009/114335. The heavy and light chain amino acid sequences of Pembrolizumab are as follows:

Heavy chain (SEQ ID NO: 4) QVQLVQSGVE VKKPGASVKV SCKASGYTFT NYYMYWVRQA PGQGLEWMGG  50 INPSNGGTNF NEKFKNRVTL TTDSSTTTAY MELKSLQFDD TAVYYCARRD 100 YRFDMGFDYW GQGTTVTVSS ASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSE STAALGCLVK 150 DYFPEPVTVS WNSGALTSGV HTFPAVLQSS GLYSLSSVVT VPSSSLGTKT 200 YTCNVDHKPS NTKVDKRVES KYGPPCPPCP APEFLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDT 250 LMISRTPEVT CVVVDVSQED PEVQFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTK PREEQFNSTY 300 RVVSVLTVLH QDWLNGKEYK CKVSNKGLPS SIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYT 350 LPPSQEEMTK NQVSLTCLVK GFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENN YKTTPPVLDS 400 DGSFFLYSRL TVDKSRWQEG NVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKS LSLSLGK 447 LighT chain (SEQ ID NO: 5) EIVLTQSPAT LSLSPGERAT LSCRASKGVS TSGYSYLHWY QQKPGQAPRL  50 LIYLASYLES GVPARFSGSG SGTDFTLTIS SLEPEDFAVY YCQHSRDLPL 100 TFGGGTKVEI KRTVAAPSVF IFPPSDEQLK SGTASVVCLL NNFYPREAKV 150 QWKVDNALQS GNSQESVTEQ DSKDSTYSLS STLTLSKADY EKHKVYACEV 200 THQGLSSPVT KSFNRGEC 218′

Pidilizumab (CT-011; Cure Tech) is a humanized IgG1k monoclonal antibody that binds to PD1. Pidilizumab and other humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies are disclosed in WO2009/101611.

Other anti-PD1 antibodies include AMP 514 (Amplimmune), among others, e.g., anti-PD1 antibodies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,609,089, US 2010028330, and/or US 20120114649.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-L1 antibody is MSB0010718C. MSB0010718C (also referred to as A09-246-2; Merck Serono) is a monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1. Pembrolizumab and other humanized anti-PD-L1 antibodies are disclosed in WO2013/079174. The heavy and light chain amino acid sequences of MSB0010718C include at least the following:

Heavy chain (SEQ ID NO: 24 as disclosed in WO2013/ 079174) (SEQ ID NO: 6) EVQLLESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYIMMWVRQAPGKGLEWVSS TYPSGGITFYADKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARIKLG TVTTVDYWGQGTLVTVSS Light chain (SEQ ID NO: 25 as disclosed in WO2013/ 079174) (SEQ ID NO: 7) QSALTQPASVSGSPGQSITISCTGTSSDVGGYNYVSWYQQHPGKAPKLMI YDVSNRPSGVSNRFSGSKSGNTASLTISGLQAEDEADYYCSSYTSSSTRV FGTGTKVTVL

MDPL3280A (Genentech/Roche) is a human Fc optimized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1. MDPL3280A and other human monoclonal antibodies to PD-L1 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,943,743 and U.S Publication No.: 20120039906. Other anti-PD-L1 binding agents include YW243.55.570 (heavy and light chain variable regions are shown in SEQ ID NOs 20 and 21 in WO2010/077634) and MDX-1105 (also referred to as BMS-936559, and, e.g., anti-PD-L1 binding agents disclosed in WO2007/005874).

AMP-224 (B7-DCIg; Amplimmune; e.g., disclosed in WO2010/027827 and WO2011/066342), is a PD-L2 Fc fusion soluble receptor that blocks the interaction between PD1 and B7-H1.

In some embodiments, the anti-LAG-3 antibody is BMS-986016. BMS-986016 (also referred to as BMS986016; Bristol-Myers Squibb) is a monoclonal antibody that binds to LAG-3. BMS-986016 and other humanized anti-LAG-3 antibodies are disclosed in US 2011/0150892, WO2010/019570, and WO2014/008218.

In certain embodiments, the combination therapies disclosed herein include a modulator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitory molecule, e.g., a co-inhibitory ligand or receptor.

In one embodiment, the costimulatory modulator, e.g., agonist, of a costimulatory molecule is chosen from an agonist (e.g., an agonistic antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, or soluble fusion) of OX40, CD2, CD27, CDS, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278), 4-1BB (CD137), GITR, CD30, CD40, BAFFR, HVEM, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, SLAMF7, NKp80, CD160, B7-H3 or CD83 ligand.

In another embodiment, the combination therapies disclosed herein include a costimulatory molecule, e.g., an agonist associated with a positive signal that includes a costimulatory domain of CD28, CD27, ICOS and GITR.

Exemplary GITR agonists include, e.g., GITR fusion proteins and anti-GITR antibodies (e.g., bivalent anti-GITR antibodies), such as, a GITR fusion protein described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,090, European Patent No.: 090505B1, U.S. Pat. No. 8,586,023, PCT Publication Nos.: WO 2010/003118 and 2011/090754, or an anti-GITR antibody described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,962, European Patent No.: 1947183B1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,812,135, U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,967, U.S. Pat. No. 8,591,886, European Patent No.: EP 1866339, PCT Publication No.: WO 2011/028683, PCT Publication No.:WO 2013/039954, PCT Publication No.: WO2005/007190, PCT Publication No.: WO 2007/133822, PCT Publication No.: WO2005/055808, PCT Publication No.: WO 99/40196, PCT Publication No.: WO 2001/03720, PCT Publication No.: WO99/20758, PCT Publication No.: WO2006/083289, PCT Publication No.: WO 2005/115451, U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,632, and PCT Publication No.: WO 2011/051726. In one embodiment, the inhibitor is a soluble ligand (e.g., a CTLA-4-Ig), or an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to PD-L1, PD-L2 or CTLA4. For example, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule can be administered in combination with an anti-CTLA-4 antibody, e.g., ipilimumab, for example, to treat a cancer (e.g., a cancer chosen from: a melanoma, e.g., a metastatic melanoma; a lung cancer, e.g., a non-small cell lung carcinoma; or a prostate cancer). Exemplary anti-CTLA4 antibodies include Tremelimumab (IgG2 monoclonal antibody available from Pfizer, formerly known as ticilimumab, CP-675,206); and Ipilimumab (CTLA-4 antibody, also known as MDX-010, CAS No. 477202-00-9).

In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered after treatment, e.g., after treatment of a melanoma, with an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., ipilimumab) with or without a BRAF inhibitor (e.g., vemurafenib or dabrafenib). Exemplary doses that can be use include a dose of anti-PD-1 antibody molecule of about 1 to 10 mg/kg, e.g., 3 mg/kg, and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 antibody, e.g., ipilimumab, of about 3 mg/kg.

In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with an anti-LAG-3 antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with an anti-TIM-3 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. In yet other embodiments, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with an anti-LAG-3 antibody and an anti-TIM-3 antibody, or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The combination of antibodies recited herein can be administered separately, e.g., as separate antibodies, or linked, e.g., as a bispecific or trispecific antibody molecule. In one embodiment, a bispecific antibody that includes an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule and an anti-TIM-3 or anti-LAG-3 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is administered. In certain embodiments, the combination of antibodies recited herein is used to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer as described herein (e.g., a solid tumor). The efficacy of the aforesaid combinations can be tested in animal models known in the art. For example, the animal models to test the synergistic effect of anti-PD-1 and anti-LAG-3 are described, e.g., in Woo et al. (2012) Cancer Res. 72(4):917-27).

In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with an inhibitor of CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5). In one embodiment, the inhibitor of CEACAM (e.g., CEACAM-1, -3 and/or -5) is an anti-CEACAM antibody molecule. Without wishing to be bound by theory, carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecules (CEACAM), such as CEACAM-1 and CEACAM-5, are believed to mediate, at least in part, inhibition of an anti-tumor immune response (see e.g., Markel et al. J Immunol. 2002 Mar. 15; 168(6):2803-10; Markel et al. J Immunol. 2006 Nov. 1; 177(9):6062-71; Markel et al. Immunology. 2009 February; 126(2):186-200; Markel et al. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2010 February; 59(2):215-30; Ortenberg et al. Mol Cancer Ther. 2012 June; 11(6):1300-10; Stern et al. J Immunol. 2005 Jun. 1; 174(11):6692-701; Zheng et al. PLoS One. 2010 Sep. 2; 5(9). pii: e12529). For example, CEACAM-1 has been described as a heterophilic ligand for TIM-3 and as playing a role in TIM-3-mediated T cell tolerance and exhaustion (see e.g., WO 2014/022332; Huang, et al. (2014) Nature doi:10.1038/nature13848). In embodiments, co-blockade of CEACAM-1 and TIM-3 has been shown to enhance an anti-tumor immune response in xenograft colorectal cancer models (see e.g., WO 2014/022332; Huang, et al. (2014), supra). In other embodiments, co-blockade of CEACAM-1 and PD-1 reduce T cell tolerance as described, e.g., in WO 2014/059251. Thus, CEACAM inhibitors can be used with the other immunomodulators described herein (e.g., anti-PD-1 and/or anti-TIM-3 inhibitors) to enhance an immune response against a cancer, e.g., a melanoma, a lung cancer (e.g., NSCLC), a bladder cancer, a colon cancer an ovarian cancer, and other cancers as described herein.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with a CEACAM inhibitor (e.g., CEACAM-1, CEACAM-3, and/or CEACAM-5 inhibitor). In one embodiment, the inhibitor of CEACAM is an anti-CEACAM antibody molecule. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with a CEACAM-1 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-CEACAM-1 antibody molecule. In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with a CEACAM-3 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-CEACAM-3 antibody molecule. In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered in combination with a CEACAM-5 inhibitor, e.g., an anti-CEACAM-5 antibody molecule. Exemplary anti-CEACAM-1 antibodies are described in WO 2010/125571, WO 2013/082366 and WO 2014/022332, e.g., a monoclonal antibody 34B1, 26H7, and 5F4; or a recombinant form thereof, as described in, e.g., US 2004/0047858, U.S. Pat. No. 7,132,255 and WO 99/052552. In other embodiments, the anti-CEACAM antibody binds to CEACAM-5 as described in, e.g., Zheng et al. PLoS One. 2010 Sep. 2; 5(9). pii: e12529 (DOI:10:1371/journal.pone.0021146), or crossreacts with CEACAM-1 and CEACAM-5 as described in, e.g., WO 2013/054331 and US 2014/0271618.

In another embodiment, the combination therapies include a modified T-cell, e.g., in combination with an adoptive T-cell immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (e.g., as described by John L B, et al. (2013) Clin. Cancer Res. 19(20): 5636-46).

In other embodiments, the combination therapies disclosed herein can also include a cytokine, e.g., interleukin-21 or interleukin-2. In certain embodiments, the combination described herein is used to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer as described herein (e.g., a solid tumor or melanoma).

Exemplary immunomodulators that can be used in the combination therapies include, but are not limited to, e.g., afutuzumab (available from Roche®); pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®); lenalidomide (CC-5013, Revlimid®); thalidomide (Thalomid®), actimid (CC4047); and cytokines, e.g., IL-21 or IRX-2 (mixture of human cytokines including interleukin 1, interleukin 2, and interferon y, CAS 951209-71-5, available from IRX Therapeutics).

In other embodiments, the combination therapies can be administered to a subject in conjunction with (e.g., before, simultaneously or following) one or more of: bone marrow transplantation, T cell ablative therapy using chemotherapy agents such as, fludarabine, external-beam radiation therapy (XRT), cyclophosphamide, and/or antibodies such as OKT3 or CAMPATH. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecules are administered following B-cell ablative therapy such as agents that react with CD20, e.g., Rituxan. For example, in one embodiment, subjects may undergo standard treatment with high dose chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. In certain embodiments, following the transplant, subjects receive the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecules. In an additional embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecules are administered before or following surgery.

Another example of a further combination therapy includes decarbazine for the treatment of melanoma. Without being bound by theory, the combined use of PD-1 blockade and chemotherapy is believed to be facilitated by cell death, that is a consequence of the cytotoxic action of most chemotherapeutic compounds, which can result in increased levels of tumor antigen in the antigen presentation pathway. Other combination therapies that may result in synergy with PD-1 blockade through cell death are radiation, surgery, and hormone deprivation. Each of these protocols creates a source of tumor antigen in the host. Angiogenesis inhibitors may also be combined with PD-1 blockade. Inhibition of angiogenesis leads to tumor cell death which may feed tumor antigen into host antigen presentation pathways.

Combination therapies can also be used in combination with bispecific antibodies. Bispecific antibodies can be used to target two separate antigens. For example anti-Fc receptor/anti tumor antigen (e.g., Her-2/neu) bispecific antibodies have been used to target macrophages to sites of tumor. This targeting may more effectively activate tumor specific responses. The T cell arm of these responses would by augmented by the use of PD-1 blockade. Alternatively, antigen may be delivered directly to DCs by the use of bispecific antibodies which bind to tumor antigen and a dendritic cell specific cell surface marker.

Tumors evade host immune surveillance by a large variety of mechanisms. Many of these mechanisms may be overcome by the inactivation of proteins which are expressed by the tumors and which are immunosuppressive. These include among others TGF-beta (Kehrl, J. et al. (1986) J. Exp. Med. 163: 1037-1050), IL-10 (Howard, M. & O'Garra, A. (1992) Immunology Today 13: 198-200), and Fas ligand (Hahne, M. et al. (1996) Science 274: 1363-1365). Antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof to each of these entities may be used in combination with anti-PD-1 to counteract the effects of the immunosuppressive agent and favor tumor immune responses by the host.

Other antibodies which may be used to activate host immune responsiveness can be used in combination with the combination therapies described herein. These include molecules on the surface of dendritic cells which activate DC function and antigen presentation. Anti-CD40 antibodies are able to substitute effectively for T cell helper activity (Ridge, J. et al. (1998) Nature 393: 474-478) and can be used in conjunction with PD-1 antibodies (Ito, N. et al. (2000) Immunobiology 201 (5) 527-40). Antibodies to T cell costimulatory molecules such as CTLA-4 (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,097), OX-40 (Weinberg, A. et al. (2000) Immunol 164: 2160-2169), 4-1BB (Melero, I. et al. (1997) Nature Medicine 3: 682-685 (1997), and ICOS (Hutloff, A. et al. (1999) Nature 397: 262-266) may also provide for increased levels of T cell activation.

In all of the methods described herein, PD-1 blockade can be combined with other forms of immunotherapy such as cytokine treatment (e.g., interferons, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-2, IL-21), or bispecific antibody therapy, which provides for enhanced presentation of tumor antigens (see e.g., Holliger (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448; Poljak (1994) Structure 2:1121-1123).

The combination therapies disclosed herein can be further combined with an immunogenic agent, such as cancerous cells, purified tumor antigens (including recombinant proteins, peptides, and carbohydrate molecules), cells, and cells transfected with genes encoding immune stimulating cytokines (He et al. (2004) J. Immunol. 173:4919-28). Non-limiting examples of tumor vaccines that can be used include peptides of melanoma antigens, such as peptides of gp100, MAGE antigens, Trp-2, MART1 and/or tyrosinase, or tumor cells transfected to express the cytokine GM-CSF.

PD-1 blockade can be combined with a vaccination protocol. Many experimental strategies for vaccination against tumors have been devised (see Rosenberg, S., 2000, Development of Cancer Vaccines, ASCO Educational Book Spring: 60-62; Logothetis, C., 2000, ASCO Educational Book Spring: 300-302; Khayat, D. 2000, ASCO Educational Book Spring: 414-428; Foon, K. 2000, ASCO Educational Book Spring: 730-738; see also Restifo, N. and Sznol, M., Cancer Vaccines, Ch. 61, pp. 3023-3043 in DeVita, V. et al. (eds.), 1997, Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. Fifth Edition). In one of these strategies, a vaccine is prepared using autologous or allogeneic tumor cells. These cellular vaccines have been shown to be most effective when the tumor cells are transduced to express GM-CSF. GM-CSF has been shown to be a potent activator of antigen presentation for tumor vaccination (Dranoff et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90: 3539-43).

PD-1 blockade can be used in conjunction with a collection of recombinant proteins and/or peptides expressed in a tumor in order to generate an immune response to these proteins. These proteins are normally viewed by the immune system as self antigens and are therefore tolerant to them. The tumor antigen may also include the protein telomerase, which is required for the synthesis of telomeres of chromosomes and which is expressed in more than 85% of human cancers and in only a limited number of somatic tissues (Kim, N et al. (1994) Science 266: 2011-2013). (These somatic tissues may be protected from immune attack by various means). Tumor antigen may also be “neo-antigens” expressed in cancer cells because of somatic mutations that alter protein sequence or create fusion proteins between two unrelated sequences (ie. bcr-abl in the Philadelphia chromosome), or idiotype from B cell tumors.

Other tumor vaccines may include the proteins from viruses implicated in human cancers such a Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV), Hepatitis Viruses (HBV and HCV) and Kaposi's Herpes Sarcoma Virus (KHSV). Another form of tumor specific antigen which may be used in conjunction with PD-1 blockade is purified heat shock proteins (HSP) isolated from the tumor tissue itself. These heat shock proteins contain fragments of proteins from the tumor cells and these HSPs are highly efficient at delivery to antigen presenting cells for eliciting tumor immunity (Suot, R & Srivastava, P (1995) Science 269:1585-1588; Tamura, Y. et al. (1997) Science 278:117-120).

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen presenting cells that can be used to prime antigen-specific responses. DC's can be produced ex vivo and loaded with various protein and peptide antigens as well as tumor cell extracts (Nestle, F. et al. (1998) Nature Medicine 4: 328-332). DCs may also be transduced by genetic means to express these tumor antigens as well. DCs have also been fused directly to tumor cells for the purposes of immunization (Kugler, A. et al. (2000) Nature Medicine 6:332-336). As a method of vaccination, DC immunization may be effectively combined with PD-1 blockade to activate more potent anti-tumor responses.

Additional Combination Therapies

The combination therapy disclosed herein can be further co-formulated with, and/or co-administered with, one or more additional therapeutic agents, e.g., one or more anti-cancer agents, cytotoxic or cytostatic agents, hormone treatment, vaccines, and/or other immunotherapies. In other embodiments, the antibody molecules are administered in combination with other therapeutic treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation, cryosurgery, and/or thermotherapy. Such combination therapies may advantageously utilize lower dosages of the administered therapeutic agents, thus avoiding possible toxicities or complications associated with the various monotherapies.

For example, the combination therapies disclosed herein can also be combined with a standard cancer treatment. For example, PD-1 blockade may be effectively combined with chemotherapeutic regimes. In these instances, it may be possible to reduce the dose of chemotherapeutic reagent administered (Mokyr, M. et al. (1998) Cancer Research 58: 5301-5304). In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions described herein are administered in combination with one or more of other antibody molecules, chemotherapy, other anti-cancer therapy (e.g., targeted anti-cancer therapies, or oncolytic drugs), cytotoxic agents, immune-based therapies (e.g., cytokines), surgical and/or radiation procedures. Exemplary cytotoxic agents that can be administered in combination with include antimicrotubule agents, topoisomerase inhibitors, anti-metabolites, mitotic inhibitors, alkylating agents, anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids, intercalating agents, agents capable of interfering with a signal transduction pathway, agents that promote apoptosis, proteosome inhibitors, and radiation (e.g., local or whole body irradiation).

Exemplary combinations of with the standard of care for cancer, include at least the following.

In certain embodiments, the combination therapy, is used in combination with a standard of cancer care chemotherapeutic agent including, but not limited to, anastrozole (Arimidex®), bicalutamide (Casodex®), bleomycin sulfate (Blenoxane®), busulfan (Myleran®), busulfan injection (Busulfex®), capecitabine (Xeloda®), N4-pentoxycarbonyl-5-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, carboplatin (Paraplatin®), carmustine (BiCNU®), chlorambucil (Leukeran®), cisplatin (Platinol®), cladribine (Leustatin®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan® or Neosar®), cytarabine, cytosine arabinoside (Cytosar-U®), cytarabine liposome injection (DepoCyt®), dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome®), dactinomycin (Actinomycin D, Cosmegan), daunorubicin hydrochloride (Cerubidine®), daunorubicin citrate liposome injection (DaunoXome®), dexamethasone, docetaxel (Taxotere®), doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin®, Rubex®), etoposide (Vepesid®), fludarabine phosphate (Fludara®), 5-fluorouracil (Adrucil®, Efudex®), flutamide (Eulexin®), tezacitibine, Gemcitabine (difluorodeoxycitidine), hydroxyurea (Hydrea®), Idarubicin (Idamycin®), ifosfamide (IFEX®), irinotecan (Camptosar®), L-asparaginase (ELSPAR®), leucovorin calcium, melphalan (Alkeran®), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol®), methotrexate (Folex®), mitoxantrone (Novantrone®), mylotarg, paclitaxel (Taxol®), nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane®), phoenix (Yttrium90/MX-DTPA), pentostatin, polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant (Gliadel®), tamoxifen citrate (Nolvadex®), teniposide (Vumon®), 6-thioguanine, thiotepa, tirapazamine (Tirazone®), topotecan hydrochloride for injection (Hycamptin®), vinblastine (Velban®), vincristine (Oncovin®), and vinorelbine (Navelbine®).

Exemplary alkylating agents include, without limitation, nitrogen mustards, ethylenimine derivatives, alkyl sulfonates, nitrosoureas and triazenes): uracil mustard (Aminouracil Mustard®, Chlorethaminacil®, Demethyldopan®, Desmethyldopan®, Haemanthamine®, Nordopan®, Uracil nitrogen mustard®, Uracillost®, Uracilmostaza®, Uramustin®, Uramustine®), chlormethine (Mustargen®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®, Clafen®, Endoxan®, Procytox®, Revimmune™), ifosfamide (Mitoxana®), melphalan (Alkeran®), Chlorambucil (Leukeran®), pipobroman (Amedel®, Vercyte®), triethylenemelamine (Hemel®, Hexalen®, Hexastat®), triethylenethiophosphoramine, Temozolomide (Temodar®), thiotepa (Thioplex®), busulfan (Busilvex®, Myleran®), carmustine (BiCNU®), lomustine (CeeNU®), streptozocin (Zanosar®), and Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome®). Additional exemplary alkylating agents include, without limitation, Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®); Temozolomide (Temodar® and Temodal®); Dactinomycin (also known as actinomycin-D, Cosmegen®); Melphalan (also known as L-PAM, L-sarcolysin, and phenylalanine mustard, Alkeran®); Altretamine (also known as hexamethylmelamine (HMM), Hexalen®); Carmustine (BiCNU®); Bendamustine (Treanda®); Busulfan (Busulfex® and Myleran®); Carboplatin (Paraplatin®); Lomustine (also known as CCNU, CeeNU®); Cisplatin (also known as CDDP, Platinol® and Platinol®-AQ); Chlorambucil (Leukeran®); Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan® and Neosar®); Dacarbazine (also known as DTIC, DIC and imidazole carboxamide, DTIC-Dome®); Altretamine (also known as hexamethylmelamine (HMM), Hexalen®); Ifosfamide (Ifex®); Prednumustine; Procarbazine (Matulane®); Mechlorethamine (also known as nitrogen mustard, mustine and mechloroethamine hydrochloride, Mustargen®); Streptozocin (Zanosar®); Thiotepa (also known as thiophosphoamide, TESPA and TSPA, Thioplex®); Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan®, Cytoxan®, Neosar®, Procytox®, Revimmune®); and Bendamustine HCl (Treanda®).

Exemplary anthracyclines include, e.g., doxorubicin (Adriamycin® and Rubex®); bleomycin (lenoxane®); daunorubicin (dauorubicin hydrochloride, daunomycin, and rubidomycin hydrochloride, Cerubidine®); daunorubicin liposomal (daunorubicin citrate liposome, DaunoXome®); mitoxantrone (DHAD, Novantrone®); epirubicin (Ellence™); idarubicin (Idamycin®, Idamycin PFS®); mitomycin C (Mutamycin®); geldanamycin; herbimycin; ravidomycin; and desacetylravidomycin.

Exemplary vinca alkaloids that can be used in combination with a combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1), include, but are not limited to, vinorelbine tartrate (Navelbine®), Vincristine (Oncovin®), and Vindesine (Eldisine®)); vinblastine (also known as vinblastine sulfate, vincaleukoblastine and VLB, Alkaban-AQ® and Velban®); and vinorelbine (Navelbine®).

Exemplary proteosome inhibitors that can be used in combination with combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) LDK378, include, but are not limited to, bortezomib (Velcade®); carfilzomib (PX-171-007, (S)-4-Methyl-N-((S)-1-(((S)-4-methyl-1-((R)-2-methyloxiran-2-yl)-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-morpholinoacetamido)-4-phenylbutanamido)-pentanamide); marizomib (NPI-0052); ixazomib citrate (MLN-9708); delanzomib (CEP-18770); O-Methyl-N-[(2-methyl-5-thiazolyl)carbonyl]-L-seryl-O-methyl-N-[(1S)-2-[(2R)-2-methyl-2-oxiranyl]-2-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)ethyl]-L-serinamide (ONX-0912); danoprevir (RG7227, CAS 850876-88-9); ixazomib (MLN2238, CAS 1072833-77-2); and (S)-N-[( phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucyl-N-(1-formyl-3-methylbutyl)-L-Leucinamide (MG-132, CAS 133407-82-6).

In some embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and LDK378, in combination with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor). Exemplary tyrosine kinase inhibitor include, but are not limited to, an epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway inhibitor (e.g., an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitor (e.g., a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor (e.g., a VEGFR-1 inhibitor, a VEGFR-2 inhibitor, a VEGFR-3 inhibitor)), a platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) pathway inhibitor (e.g., a platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibitor (e.g., a PDGFR-B inhibitor)), a RAF-1 inhibitor, a KIT inhibitor and a RET inhibitor. In some embodiments, the anti-cancer agent used in combination with the hedgehog inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: axitinib (AG013736), bosutinib (SKI-606), cediranib (RECENTIN, AZD2171), dasatinib (SPRYCEL®, BMS-354825), erlotinib (TARCEVA®), gefitinib (IRESSA®), imatinib (Gleevec®, CGP57148B, STI-571), lapatinib (TYKERB®, TYVERB®), lestaurtinib (CEP-701), neratinib (HKI-272), nilotinib (TASIGNA®), semaxanib (semaxinib, SU5416), sunitinib (SUTENT®, SU11248), toceranib (PALLADIA®), vandetanib (ZACTIMA®, ZD6474), vatalanib (PTK787, PTK/ZK), trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN®), bevacizumab (AVASTIN®), rituximab (RITUXAN®), cetuximab (ERBITUX®), panitumumab (VECTIBIX®), ranibizumab (Lucentis®), nilotinib (TASIGNA®), sorafenib (NEXAVAR®), alemtuzumab (CAMPATH®), gemtuzumab ozogamicin (MYLOTARG®), ENMD-2076, PCI-32765, AC220, dovitinib lactate (TKI258, CHIR-258), BIBW 2992 (TOVOK™), SGX523, PF-04217903, PF-02341066, PF-299804, BMS-777607, ABT-869, MP470, BIBF 1120 (VARGATEF®), AP24534, JNJ-26483327, MGCD265, DCC-2036, BMS-690154, CEP-11981, tivozanib (AV-951), OSI-930, MM-121, XL-184, XL-647, XL228, AEE788, AG-490, AST-6, BMS-599626, CUDC-101, PD153035, pelitinib (EKB-569), vandetanib (zactima), WZ3146, WZ4002, WZ8040, ABT-869 (linifanib), AEE788, AP24534 (ponatinib), AV-951(tivozanib), axitinib, BAY 73-4506 (regorafenib), brivanib alaninate (BMS-582664), brivanib (BMS-540215), cediranib (AZD2171), CHIR-258 (dovitinib), CP 673451, CYC116, E7080, Ki8751, masitinib (AB1010), MGCD-265, motesanib diphosphate (AMG-706), MP-470, OSI-930, Pazopanib Hydrochloride, PD173074, Sorafenib Tosylate(Bay 43-9006), SU 5402, TSU-68(SU6668), vatalanib, XL880 (GSK1363089, EXEL-2880). Further examples of hedgehog inhibitors include, but are not limited to,vismodegib (2-chloro-N-[4-chloro-3-(2-pyridinyl)phenyl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)-benzamide, GDC-0449, described in PCT Publication No. WO 06/028958); 1-(4-Chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-((3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-2-quinazolinyl)methyl)-urea (CAS 330796-24-2); N-[(2S,3R,3′R,3aS,4′aR,6S,6′aR,6′bS,7aR,12′aS,12′bS)-2′,3′,3a,4,4′,4′a,5,5′,6,6′,6′a,6′b,7,7′,7a,8′,10′,12′,12′a,12′b-Eicosahydro-3,6,11′,12′b-tetramethylspiro[furo[3,2-b]pyridine-2(3H),9′(1′H)-naphth[2,1-a]azulen]-3′-yl]-methanesulfonamide (IPI926, CAS 1037210-93-7); and 4-Fluoro-N-methyl-N-[1-[4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-1-phthalazinyl]-4-piperidinyl]-2-(trifluoromethyl)-benzamide (LY2940680, CAS 1258861-20-9); and Erismodegib (LDE225). Selected tyrosine kinase inhibitors are chosen from gefitinib; erlotinib hydrochloride (Tarceva®); linifanib (N-[4-(3-amino-1H-indazol-4-yl)phenyl]-N′-(2-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)urea, also known as ABT 869, available from Genentech); sunitinib malate (Sutent®); bosutinib (4-[(2,4-dichloro-5-methoxyphenyl)amino]-6-methoxy-7-[3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)propoxy]quinoline-3-carbonitrile, also known as SKI-606, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,996); dasatinib (Sprycel®); pazopanib (Votrient®); sorafenib (Nexavar®); zactima (ZD6474); and imatinib or imatinib mesylate (Gilvec® and Gleevec®).

In certain embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1 LDK378), in combination with a Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) receptor inhibitors, including but not limited to, Bevacizumab (Avastin®), axitinib (Inlyta®); Brivanib alaninate (BMS-582664, (S)-((R)-1-(4-(4-Fluoro-2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yloxy)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-6-yloxy)propan-2-yl)2-aminopropanoate); Sorafenib (Nexavar®); Pazopanib (Votrient®); Sunitinib malate (Sutent®); Cediranib (AZD2171, CAS 288383-20-1); Vargatef (BIBF1120, CAS 928326-83-4); Foretinib (GSK1363089); Telatinib (BAY57-9352, CAS 332012-40-5); Apatinib (YN968D1, CAS 811803-05-1); Imatinib (Gleevec®); Ponatinib (AP24534, CAS 943319-70-8); Tivozanib (AV951, CAS 475108-18-0); Regorafenib (BAY73-4506, CAS 755037-03-7); Vatalanib dihydrochloride (PTK787, CAS 212141-51-0); Brivanib (BMS-540215, CAS 649735-46-6); Vandetanib (Caprelsa® or AZD6474); Motesanib diphosphate (AMG706, CAS 857876-30-3, N-(2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-6-yl)-2-[(4-pyridinylmethyl)amino]-3-pyridinecarboxamide, described in PCT Publication No. WO 02/066470); Dovitinib dilactic acid (TKI258, CAS 852433-84-2); Linfanib (ABT869, CAS 796967-16-3); Cabozantinib (XL184, CAS 849217-68-1); Lestaurtinib (CAS 111358-88-4); N-[5-[[[5-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-2-oxazolyl]methyl]thio]-2-thiazolyl]-4-piperidinecarboxamide (BMS38703, CAS 345627-80-7); (3R,4R)-4-Amino-1-((4-((3-methoxyphenyl)amino)pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-5-yl)methyl)piperidin-3-ol (BMS690514); N-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenyl)-6-methoxy-7-[[(3aα,5β,6aα)-octahydro-2-methylcyclopenta[c]pyrrol-5-yl]methoxy]-4-quinazolinamine (XL647, CAS 781613-23-8); 4-Methyl-3-[[1-methyl-6-(3-pyridinyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino]-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-benzamide (BHG712, CAS 940310-85-0); and Aflibercept (Eylea®).

Exemplary anti-VEGF antibodies include, but are not limited to, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the same epitope as the monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody A4.6.1 produced by hybridoma ATCC HB 10709; a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody generated according to Presta et al. (1997) Cancer Res. 57:4593-4599. In one embodiment, the anti-VEGF antibody is Bevacizumab (BV), also known as rhuMAb VEGF or AVASTIN®. It comprises mutated human IgG1 framework regions and antigen-binding complementarity-determining regions from the murine anti-hVEGF monoclonal antibody A.4.6.1 that blocks binding of human VEGF to its receptors. Bevacizumab and other humanized anti-VEGF antibodies are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,879 issued Feb. 26, 2005. Additional antibodies include the G6 or B20 series antibodies (e.g., G6-31, B20-4.1), as described in PCT Publication No. WO2005/012359, PCT Publication No. WO2005/044853, the contents of these patent applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference. For additional antibodies see U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,060,269, 6,582,959, 6,703,020, 6,054,297, WO98/45332, WO 96/30046, WO94/10202, EP 0666868B1, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006009360, 20050186208, 20030206899, 20030190317, 20030203409, and 20050112126; and Popkov et al, Journal of Immunological Methods 288: 149-164 (2004). Other antibodies include those that bind to a functional epitope on human VEGF comprising of residues F17, Ml 8, D19, Y21, Y25, Q89, 191, Kl 01, El 03, and C104 or, alternatively, comprising residues F17, Y21, Q22, Y25, D63, 183 and Q89.

In some embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1LDK378), in combination with a PI3K inhibitor. In one embodiment, the PI3K inhibitor is an inhibitor of delta and gamma isoforms of PI3K. Exemplary PI3K inhibitors that can be used in combination are described in, e.g., WO 2010/036380, WO 2010/006086, WO 09/114870, WO 05/113556, GSK 2126458, GDC-0980, GDC-0941, Sanofi XL147, XL756, XL147, PF-46915032, BKM 120, CAL-101, CAL 263, SF1126, PX-886, and a dual PI3K inhibitor (e.g., Novartis BEZ235). Further examples of PI3K inhibitors include, but are not limited to, 4-[2-(1H-Indazol-4-yl)-6-[[4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]morpholine (also known as GDC 0941, described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 09/036082 and WO 09/055730); 2-Methyl-2-[4-[3-methyl-2-oxo-8-(quinolin-3-yl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-1-yl]phenyl]propionitrile (also known as BEZ235 or NVP-BEZ 235, described in PCT Publication No. WO 06/122806); 4-(trifluoromethyl)-5-(2,6-dimorpholinopyrimidin-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine (also known as BKM120 or NVP-BKM120, described in PCT Publication No. WO2007/084786); Tozasertib (VX680 or MK-0457, CAS 639089-54-6); (5Z)-5-[[4-(4-Pyridinyl)-6-quinolinyl]methylene]-2,4-thiazolidinedione (GSK1059615, CAS 958852-01-2); (1E,4S,4aR,5R,6aS,9aR)-5-(Acetyloxy)-1-[(di-2-propenylamino)methylene]-4,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,9a-octahydro-11-hydroxy-4-(methoxymethyl)-4a,6a-dimethyl-cyclopenta[5,6]naphtho[1,2-c]pyran-2,7,10(1H)-trione (PX866, CAS 502632-66-8); 8-Phenyl-2-(morpholin-4-yl)-chromen-4-one (LY294002, CAS 154447-36-6); 2-Amino-8-ethyl-4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one (SAR 245409 or XL 765); 1,3-Dihydro-8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(1-piperazinyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-2-one, (2Z)-2-butenedioate (1:1) (BGT 226); 5-Fluoro-3-phenyl-2-[(1S)-1-(9H-purin-6-ylamino)ethyl]-4(3H)-quinazolinone (CAL101); 2-Amino-N-[3-[N-[3-[(2-chloro-5-methoxyphenyl)amino]quinoxalin-2-yl]sulfamoyl]phenyl]-2-methylpropanamide (SAR 245408 or XL 147); and (S)-Pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylic acid 2-amide 1-({4-methyl-5-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-thiazol-2-yl}-amide) (BYL719).

In some embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1 LDK378), in combination with a mTOR inhibitor, e.g., one or more mTOR inhibitors chosen from one or more of rapamycin, temsirolimus (TORISEL®), AZD8055, BEZ235, BGT226, XL765, PF-4691502, GDC0980, SF1126, OSI-027, GSK1059615, KU-0063794, WYE-354, Palomid 529 (P529), PF-04691502, or PKI-587. ridaforolimus (formally known as deferolimus, (1R,2R,4S)-4-[(2R)-2 [(1R,9S,12S,15R,16E,18R,19R,21R, 23S,24E,26E,28Z,30S,32S,35R)-1,18-dihydroxy-19,30-dimethoxy-15,17,21,23, 29,35-hexamethyl-2,3,10,14,20-pentaoxo-11,36-dioxa-4-azatricyclo[30.3.1.0^(4,9)] hexatriaconta-16,24,26,28-tetraen-12-yl]propyl]-2-methoxycyclohexyl dimethylphosphinate, also known as AP23573 and MK8669, and described in PCT Publication No. WO 03/064383); everolimus (Afinitor® or RAD001); rapamycin (AY22989, Sirolimus®); simapimod (CAS 164301-51-3); emsirolimus, (5-{2,4-Bis[(3S)-3-methylmorpholin-4-yl]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-yl}-2-methoxyphenyl)methanol (AZD8055); 2-Amino-8-[trans-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cyclohexyl]-6-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-methyl-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one (PF04691502, CAS 1013101-36-4); and N²-[1,4-dioxo-4-[[4-(4-oxo-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-2-yl)morpholinium-4-yl]methoxy]butyl]-L-arginylglycyl-L-α-aspartylL-serine-, inner salt (SF1126, CAS 936487-67-1), (1r,4r)-4-(4-amino-5-(7-methoxy-1H-indol-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-f][1,2,4]triazin-7-yl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (OSI-027); and XL765.

In some embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1 LDK378), in combination with a BRAF inhibitor, e.g., GSK2118436, RG7204, PLX4032, GDC-0879, PLX4720, and sorafenib tosylate (Bay 43-9006). In further embodiments, a BRAF inhibitor includes, but is not limited to, regorafenib (BAY73-4506, CAS 755037-03-7); tuvizanib (AV951, CAS 475108-18-0); vemurafenib (Zelboraf®, PLX-4032, CAS 918504-65-1); encorafenib (also known as LGX818); 1-Methyl-5-[[2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-4-pyridinyl]oxy]-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine (RAF265, CAS 927880-90-8); 5-[1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-2,3-dihydroinden-1-one oxime (GDC-0879, CAS 905281-76-7); 5-[2-[4-[2-(Dimethylamino)ethoxy]phenyl]-5-(4-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-Inden-1-one oxime (GSK2118436 or SB590885); (+/−)-Methyl (54245-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)carbamate (also known as XL-281 and BMS908662) and N-(3-(5-chloro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl)-2,4-difluorophenyl)propane-1-sulfonamide (also known as PLX4720).

In some embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1 LDK378), in combination with a MEK inhibitor. In some embodiments, the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody and the MEK inhibitor is used to treat a cancer (e.g., a cancer described herein). In some embodiments, the cancer treated with the combination is chosen from a melanoma, a colorectal cancer, a non-small cell lung cancer, an ovarian cancer, a breast cancer, a prostate cancer, a pancreatic cancer, a hematological malignancy or a renal cell carcinoma. In certain embodiments, the cancer includes a BRAF mutation (e.g., a BRAF V600E mutation), a BRAF wildtype, a KRAS wildtype or an activating KRAS mutation. The cancer may be at an early, intermediate or late stage. Any MEK inhibitor can be used in combination including, but not limited to, selumetinib (5-[(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl)amino]-4-fluoro-N-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxamide, also known as AZD6244 or ARRY 142886, described in PCT Publication No. WO2003077914); trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide (GSK-1120212, CAS 1204531-25-80); RDEA436; N-[3,4-Difluoro-2-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-6-methoxyphenyl]-1-[(2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl]-cyclopropanesulfonamide (also known as RDEA119 or BAY869766, described in PCT Publication No. WO2007014011); AS703026; BIX 02188; BIX 02189; 2-[(2-Chloro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-N-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-3,4-difluoro-benzamide (also known as CI-1040 or PD184352, described in PCT Publication No. WO2000035436); N-[(2R)-2,3-Dihydroxypropoxy]-3,4-difluoro-2-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-benzamide (also known as PD0325901 and described in PCT Publication No. WO2002006213); 2′-amino-3′-methoxyflavone (also known as PD98059 available from Biaffin GmbH & Co., KG, Germany); 2,3-bis[amino[(2-aminophenyl)thio]methylene]-butanedinitrile (also known as U0126 and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,780); XL-518 (also known as GDC-0973, Cas No. 1029872-29-4, available from ACC Corp.); G-38963; and G02443714 (also known as AS703206), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Additional examples of MEK inhibitors are disclosed in WO 2013/019906, WO 03/077914, WO 2005/121142, WO 2007/04415, WO 2008/024725 and WO 2009/085983, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further examples of MEK inhibitors include, but are not limited to, benimetinib (6-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxyethyoxy)-amide, also known as MEK162, CAS 1073666-70-2, described in PCT Publication No. WO2003077914); 2,3-Bis[amino[(2-aminophenyl)thio]methylene]-butanedinitrile (also known as U0126 and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,780); (3S,4R,5Z,8S,9S,11E)-14-(Ethylamino)-8,9,16-trihydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-3,4,9, 19-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzoxacyclotetradecine-1,7(8H)-dione] (also known as E6201, described in PCT Publication No. WO2003076424); vemurafenib (PLX-4032, CAS 918504-65-1); (R)-3-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-6-fluoro-5-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-8-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4,7(3H,8H)-dione (TAK-733, CAS 1035555-63-5); pimasertib (AS-703026, CAS 1204531-26-9); 2-(2-Fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-N-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-1,5-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamide (AZD 8330); and 3,4-Difluoro-2-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-N-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-[(3-oxo-[1,2]oxazinan-2-yl)methyl]benzamide (CH 4987655 or Ro 4987655).

In some embodiments, the combination therapy disclosed herein (e.g., an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3, or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule) and a compound of Table 1 LDK378), in combination with a JAK2 inhibitor, e.g., CEP-701, INCB18424, CP-690550 (tasocitinib). Exemplary JAK inhibitors include, but are not limited to, ruxolitinib (Jakafi®); tofacitinib (CP690550); axitinib (AG013736, CAS 319460-85-0); 5-Chloro-N2-[(1S)-1-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)ethyl]-N4-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-y)-l2,4-pyrimidinediamine (AZD1480, CAS 935666-88-9); (9E)-15-[2-(1-Pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy]-7,12,26-trioxa-19,21,24-triazatetracyclo[18.3.1.12,5.114,18]-hexacosa-1(24),2,4,9,14,16,18(25),20,22-nonaene (SB-1578, CAS 937273-04-6); momelotinib (CYT 387); baricitinib (INCB-028050 or LY-3009104); pacritinib (SB1518); (16E)-14-Methyl-20-oxa-5,7,14,27-tetraazatetracyclo[19.3.1.12,6.18,12]heptacosa-1(25),2,4,6(27),8,10,12(26),16,21,23-decaene (SB 1317); gandotinib (LY 2784544); and N,N-cicyclopropyl-4-[(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino]-6-ethyl-1,6-dihydro-1-methyl-imidazo[4,5-d]pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-7-carboxamide (BMS 911543).

In some embodiments, the combination therapies disclosed herein include paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent, e.g., TAXOL®, protein-bound paclitaxel (e.g., ABRAXANE®). Exemplary paclitaxel agents include, but are not limited to, nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABRAXANE, marketed by Abraxis Bioscience), docosahexaenoic acid bound-paclitaxel (DHA-paclitaxel, Taxoprexin, marketed by Protarga), polyglutamate bound-paclitaxel (PG-paclitaxel, paclitaxel poliglumex, CT-2103, XYOTAX, marketed by Cell Therapeutic), the tumor-activated prodrug (TAP), ANG105 (Angiopep-2 bound to three molecules of paclitaxel, marketed by ImmunoGen), paclitaxel-EC-1 (paclitaxel bound to the erbB2-recognizing peptide EC-1; see Li et al., Biopolymers (2007) 87:225-230), and glucose-conjugated paclitaxel (e.g., 2′-paclitaxel methyl 2-glucopyranosyl succinate, see Liu et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2007) 17:617-620).

In certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule), is administered in combination with an antibody against a Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (also referred to herein as an “anti-KM antibody”). In certain embodiments, the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody molecule and anti-KIR antibody described herein is used to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer as described herein (e.g., a solid tumor, e.g., an advanced solid tumor).

In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule), is administered in combination with a cellular immunotherapy (e.g., Provenge (e.g., Sipuleucel)), and optionally in combination with cyclophosphamide. In certain embodiments, the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody molecule, Provenge and/or cyclophosphamide is used to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer as described herein (e.g., a prostate cancer, e.g., an advanced prostate cancer).

In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule), is administered in combination with a vaccine, e.g., a dendritic cell renal carcinoma (DC-RCC) vaccine. In certain embodiments, the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody molecule and the DC-RCC vaccine is used to treat a cancer, e.g., a cancer as described herein (e.g., a renal carcinoma, e.g., metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC)).

In yet another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule), is administered in combination with chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. For example, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule can be used to treat a myeloma, alone or in combination with one or more of: chemotherapy or other anti-cancer agents (e.g., thalidomide analogs, e.g., lenalidomide), an anti-TIM3 antibody, tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells, fusions (e.g., electrofusions) of tumor cells and dendritic cells, or vaccination with immunoglobulin idiotype produced by malignant plasma cells. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is used in combination with an anti-TIM-3 antibody to treat a myeloma, e.g., a multiple myeloma.

In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule), is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat a lung cancer, e.g., non-small cell lung cancer. In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule is used with platinum doublet therapy to treat lung cancer.

In yet another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule, alone or in combination with another immunomodulator (e.g., an anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIM-3 antibody molecule), is used to treat a renal cancer, e.g., renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (e.g., clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) or metastatic RCC. The anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibody molecule can be administered in combination with one or more of: an immune-based strategy (e.g., interleukin-2 or interferon-α), a targeted agent (e.g., a VEGF inhibitor such as a monoclonal antibody to VEGF); a VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib and pazopanib; an RNAi inhibitor), or an inhibitor of a downstream mediator of VEGF signaling, e.g., an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), e.g., everolimus and temsirolimus.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of pancreatic cancer includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent, e.g., paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent (e.g., a paclitaxel formulation such as TAXOL, an albumin-stabilized nanoparticle paclitaxel formulation (e.g., ABRAXANE) or a liposomal paclitaxel formulation); gemcitabine (e.g., gemcitabine alone or in combination with AXP107-11); other chemotherapeutic agents such as oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, rubitecan, epirubicin hydrochloride, NC-6004, cisplatin, docetaxel (e.g., TAXOTERE), mitomycin C, ifosfamide; interferon; tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., EGFR inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib, panitumumab, cetuximab, nimotuzumab); HER2/neu receptor inhibitor (e.g., trastuzumab); dual kinase inhibitor (e.g., bosutinib, saracatinib, lapatinib, vandetanib); multikinase inhibitor (e.g., sorafenib, sunitinib, XL184, pazopanib); VEGF inhibitor (e.g., bevacizumab, AV-951, brivanib); radioimmunotherapy (e.g., XR303); cancer vaccine (e.g., GVAX, survivin peptide); COX-2 inhibitor (e.g., celecoxib); IGF-1 receptor inhibitor (e.g., AMG 479, MK-0646); mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus, temsirolimus); IL-6 inhibitor (e.g., CNTO 328); cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (e.g., P276-00, UCN-01); Altered Energy Metabolism-Directed (AEMD) compound (e.g., CPI-613); HDAC inhibitor (e.g., vorinostat); TRAIL receptor 2 (TR-2) agonist (e.g., conatumumab); MEK inhibitor (e.g., AS703026, selumetinib, GSK1120212); Raf/MEK dual kinase inhibitor (e.g., RO5126766); Notch signaling inhibitor (e.g., MK0752); monoclonal antibody-antibody fusion protein (e.g., L19IL2); curcumin; HSP90 inhibitor (e.g., tanespimycin, STA-9090); rIL-2; denileukin diftitox; topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (e.g., irinotecan, PEP02); statin (e.g., simvastatin); Factor VIIa inhibitor (e.g., PCI-27483); AKT inhibitor (e.g., RX-0201); hypoxia-activated prodrug (e.g., TH-302); metformin hydrochloride, gamma-secretase inhibitor (e.g., RO4929097); ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor (e.g., 3-AP); immunotoxin (e.g., HuC242-DM4); PARP inhibitor (e.g., KU-0059436, veliparib); CTLA-4 inhbitor (e.g., CP-675,206, ipilimumab); AdV-tk therapy; proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib (Velcade), NPI-0052); thiazolidinedione (e.g., pioglitazone); NPC-1C; Aurora kinase inhibitor (e.g., R763/AS703569), CTGF inhibitor (e.g., FG-3019); siG12D LODER; and radiation therapy (e.g., tomotherapy, stereotactic radiation, proton therapy), surgery, and a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, a combination of paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent, and gemcitabine can be used with the anti-PD-1 antibody molecules described herein.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of small cell lung cancer includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent, e.g., etoposide, carboplatin, cisplatin, irinotecan, topotecan, gemcitabine, liposomal SN-38, bendamustine, temozolomide, belotecan, NK012, FR901228, flavopiridol); tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., EGFR inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib, gefitinib, cetuximab, panitumumab); multikinase inhibitor (e.g., sorafenib, sunitinib); VEGF inhibitor (e.g., bevacizumab, vandetanib); cancer vaccine (e.g., GVAX); Bc1-2 inhibitor (e.g., oblimersen sodium, ABT-263); proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib (Velcade), NPI-0052), paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent; docetaxel; IGF-1 receptor inhibitor (e.g., AMG 479); HGF/SF inhibitor (e.g., AMG 102, MK-0646); chloroquine; Aurora kinase inhibitor (e.g., MLN8237); radioimmunotherapy (e.g., TF2); HSP90 inhibitor (e.g., tanespimycin, STA-9090); mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus); Ep-CAM-/CD3-bispecific antibody (e.g., MT110); CK-2 inhibitor (e.g., CX-4945); HDAC inhibitor (e.g., belinostat); SMO antagonist (e.g., BMS 833923); peptide cancer vaccine, and radiation therapy (e.g., intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), hypofractionated radiotherapy, hypoxia-guided radiotherapy), surgery, and combinations thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent, e.g., vinorelbine, cisplatin, docetaxel, pemetrexed disodium, etoposide, gemcitabine, carboplatin, liposomal SN-38, TLK286, temozolomide, topotecan, pemetrexed disodium, azacitidine, irinotecan, tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium, sapacitabine); tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., EGFR inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib, gefitinib, cetuximab, panitumumab, necitumumab, PF-00299804, nimotuzumab, RO5083945), MET inhibitor (e.g., PF-02341066, ARQ 197), PI3K kinase inhibitor (e.g., XL147, GDC-0941), Raf/MEK dual kinase inhibitor (e.g., RO5126766), PI3K/mTOR dual kinase inhibitor (e.g., XL765), SRC inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib), dual inhibitor (e.g., BIBW 2992, GSK1363089, ZD6474, AZD0530, AG-013736, lapatinib, MEHD7945A, linifanib), multikinase inhibitor (e.g., sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib, AMG 706, XL184, MGCD265, BMS-690514, R935788), VEGF inhibitor (e.g., endostar, endostatin, bevacizumab, cediranib, BIBF 1120, axitinib, tivozanib, AZD2171), cancer vaccine (e.g., BLP25 liposome vaccine , GVAX, recombinant DNA and adenovirus expressing L523S protein), Bc1-2 inhibitor (e.g., oblimersen sodium), proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib, carfilzomib, NPI-0052, MLN9708), paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent, docetaxel, IGF-1 receptor inhibitor (e.g., cixutumumab, MK-0646, OSI 906, CP-751,871, BIIB022), hydroxychloroquine, HSP90 inhibitor (e.g., tanespimycin, STA-9090, AUY922, XL888), mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus, temsirolimus, ridaforolimus), Ep-CAM-/CD3-bispecific antibody (e.g., MT110), CK-2 inhibitor (e.g., CX-4945), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., MS 275, LBH589, vorinostat, valproic acid, FR901228), DHFR inhibitor (e.g., pralatrexate), retinoid (e.g., bexarotene, tretinoin), antibody-drug conjugate (e.g., SGN-15), bisphosphonate (e.g., zoledronic acid), cancer vaccine (e.g., belagenpumatucel-L), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (e.g., tinzaparin, enoxaparin), GSK1572932A, melatonin, talactoferrin, dimesna, topoisomerase inhibitor (e.g., amrubicin, etoposide, karenitecin), nelfinavir, cilengitide, ErbB3 inhibitor (e.g., MM-121, U3-1287), survivin inhibitor (e.g., YM155, LY2181308), eribulin mesylate, COX-2 inhibitor (e.g., celecoxib), pegfilgrastim, Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor (e.g., BI 6727), TRAIL receptor 2 (TR-2) agonist (e.g., CS-1008), CNGRC peptide-TNF alpha conjugate, dichloroacetate (DCA), HGF inhibitor (e.g., SCH 900105), SAR240550, PPAR-gamma agonist (e.g., CS-7017), gamma-secretase inhibitor (e.g., RO4929097), epigenetic therapy (e.g., 5-azacitidine), nitroglycerin, MEK inhibitor (e.g., AZD6244), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (e.g., UCN-01), cholesterol-Fus1, antitubulin agent (e.g., E7389), farnesyl-OH-transferase inhibitor (e.g., lonafarnib), immunotoxin (e.g., BB-10901, SS1 (dsFv) PE38), fondaparinux, vascular-disrupting agent (e.g., AVE8062), PD-L1 inhibitor (e.g., MDX-1105, MDX-1106), beta-glucan, NGR-hTNF, EMD 521873, MEK inhibitor (e.g., GSK1120212), epothilone analog (e.g., ixabepilone), kinesin-spindle inhibitor (e.g., 4SC-205), telomere targeting agent (e.g., KML-001), P70 pathway inhibitor (e.g., LY2584702), AKT inhibitor (e.g., MK-2206), angiogenesis inhibitor (e.g., lenalidomide), Notch signaling inhibitor (e.g., OMP-21M18), radiation therapy, surgery, and combinations thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of ovarian cancer includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent; docetaxel; carboplatin; gemcitabine; doxorubicin; topotecan; cisplatin; irinotecan, TLK286, ifosfamide, olaparib, oxaliplatin, melphalan, pemetrexed disodium, SJG-136, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, decitabine); ghrelin antagonist (e.g., AEZS-130), immunotherapy (e.g., APC8024, oregovomab, OPT-821), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., EGFR inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib), dual inhibitor (e.g., E7080), multikinase inhibitor (e.g., AZD0530, JI-101, sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib), ON 01910.Na), VEGF inhibitor (e.g., bevacizumab, BIBF 1120, cediranib, AZD2171), PDGFR inhibitor (e.g., IMC-3G3), paclitaxel, topoisomerase inhibitor (e.g., karenitecin, Irinotecan), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., valproate, vorinostat), folate receptor inhibitor (e.g., farletuzumab), angiopoietin inhibitor (e.g., AMG 386), epothilone analog (e.g., ixabepilone), proteasome inhibitor (e.g., carfilzomib), IGF-1 receptor inhibitor (e.g., OSI 906, AMG 479), PARP inhibitor (e.g., veliparib, AG014699, iniparib, MK-4827), Aurora kinase inhibitor (e.g., MLN8237, ENMD-2076), angiogenesis inhibitor (e.g., lenalidomide), DHFR inhibitor (e.g., pralatrexate), radioimmunotherapeutic agnet (e.g., Hu3S193), statin (e.g., lovastatin), topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (e.g., NKTR-102), cancer vaccine (e.g., p53 synthetic long peptides vaccine, autologous OC-DC vaccine), mTOR inhibitor (e.g., temsirolimus, everolimus), BCR/ABL inhibitor (e.g., imatinib), ET-A receptor antagonist (e.g., ZD4054), TRAIL receptor 2 (TR-2) agonist (e.g., CS-1008), HGF/SF inhibitor (e.g., AMG 102), EGEN-001, Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor (e.g., BI 6727), gamma-secretase inhibitor (e.g., RO4929097), Wee-1 inhibitor (e.g., MK-1775), antitubulin agent (e.g., vinorelbine, E7389), immunotoxin (e.g., denileukin diftitox), SB-485232, vascular-disrupting agent (e.g., AVE8062), integrin inhibitor (e.g., EMD 525797), kinesin-spindle inhibitor (e.g., 4SC-205), revlimid, HER2 inhibitor (e.g., MGAH22), ErrB3 inhibitor (e.g., MM-121), radiation therapy; and combinations thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination to treat a myeloma, alone or in combination with one or more of: chemotherapy or other anti-cancer agents (e.g., thalidomide analogs, e.g., lenalidomide), HSCT (Cook, R. (2008) J Manag Care Pharm. 14(7 Suppl):19-25), an anti-TIM3 antibody (Hallett, W H D et al. (2011) J of American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation 17(8):1133-145), tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells, fusions (e.g., electrofusions) of tumor cells and dendritic cells, or vaccination with immunoglobulin idiotype produced by malignant plasma cells (reviewed in Yi, Q. (2009) Cancer J. 15(6):502-10).

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination to treat a renal cancer, e.g., renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or metastatic RCC. The anti-PD-1 antibody molecule can be administered in combination with one or more of: an immune-based strategy (e.g., interleukin-2 or interferon-α), a targeted agent (e.g., a VEGF inhibitor such as a monoclonal antibody to VEGF, e.g., bevacizumab (Rini, B. I. et al. (2010) J. Clin. Oncol. 28(13):2137-2143)); a VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib and pazopanib (reviewed in Pal. S. K. et al. (2014) Clin. Advances in Hematology & Oncology 12(2):90-99)); an RNAi inhibitor), or an inhibitor of a downstream mediator of VEGF signaling, e.g., an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), e.g., everolimus and temsirolimus (Hudes, G. et al. (2007) N. Engl. J. Med. 356(22):2271-2281, Motzer, R. J. et al. (2008) Lancet 372: 449-456).

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (AML) according to the disclosure includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic (e.g., cytarabine, hydroxyurea, clofarabine, melphalan, thiotepa, fludarabine, busulfan, etoposide, cordycepin, pentostatin, capecitabine, azacitidine, cyclophosphamide, cladribine, topotecan), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., BCR/ABL inhibitor (e.g., imatinib, nilotinib), ON 01910.Na, dual inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib, bosutinib), multikinase inhibitor (e.g., DCC-2036, ponatinib, sorafenib, sunitinib, RGB-286638)), interferon alfa, steroids, apoptotic agent (e.g., omacetaxine mepesuccinat), immunotherapy (e.g., allogeneic CD4+ memory Th1-like T cells/microparticle-bound anti-CD3/anti-CD28, autologous cytokine induced killer cells (CIK), AHN-12), CD52 targeting agent (e.g., alemtuzumab), HSP90 inhibitor (e.g., tanespimycin, STA-9090, AUY922, XL888), mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus), SMO antagonist (e.g., BMS 833923), ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor (e.g., 3-AP), JAK-2 inhibitor (e.g., INCB018424), Hydroxychloroquine, retinoid (e.g., fenretinide), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (e.g., UCN-01), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., belinostat, vorinostat, JNJ-26481585), PARP inhibitor (e.g., veliparib), MDM2 antagonist (e.g., RO5045337), Aurora B kinase inhibitor (e.g., TAK-901), radioimmunotherapy (e.g., actinium-225-labeled anti-CD33 antibody HuM195), Hedgehog inhibitor (e.g., PF-04449913), STAT3 inhibitor (e.g., OPB-31121), KB004, cancer vaccine (e.g., AG858), bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, radiation therapy, and combinations thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, chlorambucil, bendamustine, chlorambucil, busulfan, gemcitabine, melphalan, pentostatin, mitoxantrone, 5-azacytidine, pemetrexed disodium), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., EGFR inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib), BTK inhibitor (e.g., PCI-32765), multikinase inhibitor (e.g., MGCD265, RGB-286638), CD-20 targeting agent (e.g., rituximab, ofatumumab, RO5072759, LFB-R603), CD52 targeting agent (e.g., alemtuzumab), prednisolone, darbepoetin alfa, lenalidomide, Bc1-2 inhibitor (e.g., ABT-263), immunotherapy (e.g., allogeneic CD4+ memory Th1-like T cells/microparticle-bound anti-CD3/anti-CD28, autologous cytokine induced killer cells (CIK)), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., vorinostat, valproic acid, LBH589, JNJ-26481585, AR-42), XIAP inhibitor (e.g., AEG35156), CD-74 targeting agent (e.g., milatuzumab), mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus), AT-101, immunotoxin (e.g., CAT-8015, anti-Tac(Fv)-PE38 (LMB-2)), CD37 targeting agent (e.g., TRU-016), radioimmunotherapy (e.g., 131-tositumomab), hydroxychloroquine, perifosine, SRC inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib), thalidomide, PI3K delta inhibitor (e.g., CAL-101), retinoid (e.g., fenretinide), MDM2 antagonist (e.g., RO5045337), plerixafor, Aurora kinase inhibitor (e.g., MLN8237, TAK-901), proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib), CD-19 targeting agent (e.g., MEDI-551, MOR208), MEK inhibitor (e.g., ABT-348), JAK-2 inhibitor (e.g., INCB018424), hypoxia-activated prodrug (e.g., TH-302), paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent, HSP90 inhibitor, AKT inhibitor (e.g., MK2206), HMG-CoA inhibitor (e.g., simvastatin), GNKG186, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, and a combination thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., prednisolone, dexamethasone, vincristine, asparaginase, daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, etoposide, thioguanine, mercaptopurine, clofarabine, liposomal annamycin, busulfan, etoposide, capecitabine, decitabine, azacitidine, topotecan, temozolomide), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., BCR/ABL inhibitor (e.g., imatinib, nilotinib), ON 01910.Na, multikinase inhibitor (e.g., sorafenib)), CD-20 targeting agent (e.g., rituximab), CD52 targeting agent (e.g., alemtuzumab), HSP90 inhibitor (e.g., STA-9090), mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus, rapamycin), JAK-2 inhibitor (e.g., INCB018424), HER2/neu receptor inhibitor (e.g., trastuzumab), proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib), methotrexate, asparaginase, CD-22 targeting agent (e.g., epratuzumab, inotuzumab), immunotherapy (e.g., autologous cytokine induced killer cells (CIK), AHN-12), blinatumomab, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (e.g., UCN-01), CD45 targeting agent (e.g., BC8), MDM2 antagonist (e.g., RO5045337), immunotoxin (e.g., CAT-8015, DT2219ARL), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., JNJ-26481585), JVRS-100, paclitaxel or a paclitaxel agent, STAT3 inhibitor (e.g., OPB-31121), PARP inhibitor (e.g., veliparib), EZN-2285, radiation therapy, steroid, bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, or a combination thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., cytarabine, daunorubicin, idarubicin, clofarabine, decitabine, vosaroxin, azacitidine, clofarabine, ribavirin, CPX-351, treosulfan, elacytarabine, azacitidine), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., BCR/ABL inhibitor (e.g., imatinib, nilotinib), ON 01910.Na, multikinase inhibitor (e.g., midostaurin, SU 11248, quizartinib, sorafinib)), immunotoxin (e.g., gemtuzumab ozogamicin), DT388IL3 fusion protein, HDAC inhibitor (e.g., vorinostat, LBH589), plerixafor, mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus), SRC inhibitor (e.g., dasatinib), HSP90 inhbitor (e.g., STA-9090), retinoid (e.g., bexarotene, Aurora kinase inhibitor (e.g., BI 811283), JAK-2 inhibitor (e.g., INCB018424), Polo-like kinase inhibitor (e.g., BI 6727), cenersen, CD45 targeting agent (e.g., BC8), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (e.g., UCN-01), MDM2 antagonist (e.g., RO5045337), mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus), LY573636-sodium, ZRx-101, MLN4924, lenalidomide, immunotherapy (e.g., AHN-12), histamine dihydrochloride, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, and a combination thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., melphalan, amifostine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, clofarabine, bendamustine, fludarabine, adriamycin, SyB L-0501), thalidomide, lenalidomide, dexamethasone, prednisone, pomalidomide, proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib, carfilzomib, MLN9708), cancer vaccine (e.g., GVAX), CD-40 targeting agent (e.g., SGN-40, CHIR-12.12), perifosine, zoledronic acid, Immunotherapy (e.g., MAGE-A3, NY-ESO-1, HuMax-CD38), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., vorinostat, LBH589, AR-42), aplidin, cycline-dependent kinase inhibitor (e.g., PD-0332991, dinaciclib), arsenic trioxide, CB3304, HSP90 inhibitor (e.g., KW-2478), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., EGFR inhibitor (e.g., cetuximab), multikinase inhibitor (e.g., AT9283)), VEGF inhibitor (e.g., bevacizumab), plerixafor, MEK inhibitor (e.g., AZD6244), IPH2101, atorvastatin, immunotoxin (e.g., BB-10901), NPI-0052, radioimmunotherapeutic (e.g., yttrium Y 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan), STAT3 inhibitor (e.g., OPB-31121), MLN4924, Aurora kinase inhibitor (e.g., ENMD-2076), IMGN901, ACE-041, CK-2 inhibitor (e.g., CX-4945), radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, and a combination thereof.

An example of suitable therapeutics for use in combination for treatment of prostate cancer includes, but is not limited to, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., docetaxel, carboplatin, fludarabine), abiraterone, hormonal therapy (e.g., flutamide, bicalutamide, nilutamide, cyproterone acetate, ketoconazole, aminoglutethimide, abarelix, degarelix, leuprolide, goserelin, triptorelin, buserelin), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., dual kinase inhibitor (e.g., lapatanib), multikinase inhibitor (e.g., sorafenib, sunitinib)), VEGF inhibitor (e.g., bevacizumab), TAK-700, cancer vaccine (e.g., BPX-101, PEP223), lenalidomide, TOK-001, IGF-1 receptor inhibitor (e.g., cixutumumab), TRC105, Aurora A kinase inhibitor (e.g., MLN8237), proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib), OGX-011, radioimmunotherapy (e.g., HuJ591-GS), HDAC inhibitor (e.g., valproic acid, SB939, LBH589), hydroxychloroquine, mTOR inhibitor (e.g., everolimus), dovitinib lactate, diindolylmethane, efavirenz, OGX-427, genistein, IMC-3G3, bafetinib, CP-675,206, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination thereof.

The combination therapies can be administered in combination with one or more of the existing modalities for treating cancers, including, but not limited to: surgery; radiation therapy (e.g., external-beam therapy which involves three dimensional, conformal radiation therapy where the field of radiation is designed, local radiation (e.g., radition directed to a preselected target or organ), or focused radiation). Focused radiation can be selected from the group consisting of stereotactic radiosurgery, fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. The focused radiation can have a radiation source selected from the group consisting of a particle beam (proton), cobalt-60 (photon), and a linear accelerator (x-ray), e.g., as decribed in WO 2012/177624.

Radiation therapy can be administered through one of several methods, or a combination of methods, including without limitation external-beam therapy, internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, systemic radiation therapy, radiotherapy and permanent or temporary interstitial brachytherapy. The term “brachytherapy,” refers to radiation therapy delivered by a spatially confined radioactive material inserted into the body at or near a tumor or other proliferative tissue disease site. The term is intended without limitation to include exposure to radioactive isotopes (e.g. At-211, I-131, I-125, Y-90, Re-186, Re-188, Sm-153, Bi-212, P-32, and radioactive isotopes of Lu). Suitable radiation sources for use as a cell conditioner of the present disclosure include both solids and liquids. By way of non-limiting example, the radiation source can be a radionuclide, such as I-125, I-131, Yb-169, Ir-192 as a solid source, I-125 as a solid source, or other radionuclides that emit photons, beta particles, gamma radiation, or other therapeutic rays. The radioactive material can also be a fluid made from any solution of radionuclide(s), e.g., a solution of I-125 or I-131, or a radioactive fluid can be produced using a slurry of a suitable fluid containing small particles of solid radionuclides, such as Au-198, Y-90. Moreover, the radionuclide(s) can be embodied in a gel or radioactive micro spheres.

Nucleic Acids

The disclosure also features nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode heavy and light chain variable regions and CDRs or hypervariable loops of the antibody molecules, as described herein. The nucleic acid can comprise a nucleotide sequence as set forth herein, or a sequence substantially identical thereto (e.g., a sequence at least about 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more identical thereto, or which differs by no more than 3, 6, 15, 30, or 45 nucleotides from the sequences shown in the tables herein.

Vectors

Further provided herein are vectors comprising nucleotide sequences encoding an antibody molecule described herein. In one embodiment, the vectors comprise nucleotides encoding an antibody molecule described herein. In one embodiment, the vectors comprise the nucleotide sequences described herein. The vectors include, but are not limited to, a virus, plasmid, cosmid, lambda phage or a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC).

Numerous vector systems can be employed. For example, one class of vectors utilizes DNA elements which are derived from animal viruses such as, for example, bovine papilloma virus, polyoma virus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, baculovirus, retroviruses (Rous Sarcoma Virus, MMTV or MOMLV) or SV40 virus. Another class of vectors utilizes RNA elements derived from RNA viruses such as Semliki Forest virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus and Flaviviruses.

Additionally, cells which have stably integrated the DNA into their chromosomes may be selected by introducing one or more markers which allow for the selection of transfected host cells. The marker may provide, for example, prototropy to an auxotrophic host, biocide resistance (e.g., antibiotics), or resistance to heavy metals such as copper, or the like. The selectable marker gene can be either directly linked to the DNA sequences to be expressed, or introduced into the same cell by cotransformation. Additional elements may also be needed for optimal synthesis of mRNA. These elements may include splice signals, as well as transcriptional promoters, enhancers, and termination signals.

Once the expression vector or DNA sequence containing the constructs has been prepared for expression, the expression vectors may be transfected or introduced into an appropriate host cell. Various techniques may be employed to achieve this, such as, for example, protoplast fusion, calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, retroviral transduction, viral transfection, gene gun, lipid based transfection or other conventional techniques. In the case of protoplast fusion, the cells are grown in media and screened for the appropriate activity.

Methods and conditions for culturing the resulting transfected cells and for recovering the antibody molecule produced are known to those skilled in the art, and may be varied or optimized depending upon the specific expression vector and mammalian host cell employed, based upon the present description.

Cells

The disclosure also provides host cells comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antibody molecule as described herein.

In one embodiment, the host cells are genetically engineered to comprise nucleic acids encoding the antibody molecule.

In one embodiment, the host cells are genetically engineered by using an expression cassette. The phrase “expression cassette,” refers to nucleotide sequences, which are capable of affecting expression of a gene in hosts compatible with such sequences. Such cassettes may include a promoter, an open reading frame with or without introns, and a termination signal. Additional factors necessary or helpful in effecting expression may also be used, such as, for example, an inducible promoter.

The disclosure also provides host cells comprising the vectors described herein.

The cell can be, but is not limited to, a eukaryotic cell, a bacterial cell, an insect cell, or a human cell. Suitable eukaryotic cells include, but are not limited to, Vero cells, HeLa cells, COS cells, CHO cells, HEK293 cells, BHK cells and MDCKII cells. Suitable insect cells include, but are not limited to, Sf9 cells.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Effects of Targeted Agents on PD-L1 Modulation

This example evaluates the effects of selected therapeutic agent LDK378 on PD-L1 (CD274) modulation. LDK378 was examined by real time PCR and flow cytometry on PD-L1 levels. Significant inhibition of PD-L1 by LDK378 on tumor cells was observed.

LDK378 Downregulate PD-L1 mRNA

TaqMan RT PCR assays were developed to detect changes of expression levels of PD-L1 (CD274) in cell lines and xenograft tumors. mRNA was isolated from frozen cell pellets or tumor fragments using the Qiagen RNeasy Mini kit. Isolated RNA was frozen at −80° C. RNA quality was checked and RNA was quantified using a 2100 Agilent Bioanalyzer following the protocol for the Agilent RNA 6000 Nano Kit. cDNA was prepared using a High Capacity RNA-to cDNA Kit (Applied Biosystems).

Real-time PCR reactions were carried out in 20 μl total volume, including 10 μl of Universal PCR master mix (Applied Biosystems), 1 μl of human PD-L1 (CD274) probe/primer set (Applied Biosystems), and 8 μl of cDNA. Each sample was run in triplicate. The amount of cDNA produced from 25-50 ng of RNA in the reverse transcription reaction was used in each PCR reaction. Due to difference in mRNA levels between PD-L1 and GAPDH, the two real-time PCR reactions were done in separate tubes using same amount of cDNA. The real-time PCR reaction was run on the C1000 Thermal Cycle (BioRad) with the cycle program as follows: a 10 minute incubation at 95° C. followed by 40 cycles of 95° C. for 15 seconds and 60° C. for 1 minute. After the reaction was complete, the PD-L1 average Ct was normalized relative to each Ct value from the GAPDH reference reaction. Each normalized logarithmic value was then converted into a linear value.

Inhibition of PD-L1 mRNA by LDK378 was observed in H3122 (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with ALK translocation) in vitro (FIG. 1).

The results presented herein demonstrate a role of LDK 378 in the regulation of immunecheckpoint molecules on cancer. The observed inhibition of PD-L1 expression by LDK378 suggests that this targeted agent may have immune-modulatory activity, in addition to its effects on cancer signaling. Thus, the results presented herein suggest that administration of targeted agent LDK378 with inhibitors of immunecheckpoint inhibitors such as PD1, PD-L1, LAG3 and/or TIM3 will achieve a more potent reversal of the immunecheckpoint-mediated immune suppression.

Example 2 Clinical Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of the Ceritinib and Nivolumab Combination

Efficacy and safety of the ceritinib and nivolumab combination can be assessed in an open-label, multi-center dose escalation and expansion study investigating in addition to the safety and efficacy, also tolerability and PK/PD of combination of ceritinib and nivolumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic, ALK-positive NSCLC can be evaluated. The study can begin with a screening period of up to and including 28 days prior to the first dose of study drugs to assess eligibility. The treatment period can begin on the first day of the first cycle. The cycles are 28 days long.

Treatment with ceritinib and nivolumab may for example continue until the patient experiences unacceptable toxicity that precludes further treatment and/or disease progression.

In cases of isolated brain progression or other local progression, patients may in addition receive palliative radiotherapy.

The study can consist of dose-escalation and dose-expansion phase.

1. Dose-Escalation Phase

The dose-escalation phase of the study can evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/recommended dose for expansion (RDE) of the combination of oral daily ceritinib with a low-fat meal and intravenous nivolumab every 2 weeks (Q2W) based on dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) using a Bayesian Logistic Regression Model (BLRM). For example, 12 patients are enrolled in this phase of the study. The initial dose level of ceritinib can be 450 mg daily and nivolumab is administered at the dose of 3 mg/kg Q2W. The provisional dose levels are as follows:

-   -   [−1 dose cohort] ceritinib 300 mg + nivolumab (3 mg/kg)     -   [1st dose cohort] ceritinib 450 mg + nivolumab (3 mg/kg)     -   [2nd dose cohort] ceritinib 600 mg + nivolumab (3 mg/kg)

The MTD is the highest drug dosage of both agents not expected to cause DLT in more than 35% of the treated patients in the first 6 weeks of treatment. The final recommended MTD/RDE for combination ceritinib and nivolumab is based on the recommendation from the BLRM, and on an overall assessment of safety taking into consideration tolerability and pharmacokinetic data from subsequent cycles at the tested doses. If the MTD for combination ceritinib and nivolumab is not established after the evaluation of all planned dose levels including the target doses of ceritinib (600 mg with low-fat meal) and nivolumab (3 mg/kg), the RDE is determined after the evaluation of all available safety, PK, and efficacy data.

2. Expansion Phase

Once the MTD of the combination has been declared and/or the RDE is determined, additional patients are evaluated in the expansion phase of the study at the RDE combination dose. For example, 60 patients are enrolled into the expansion phase of the study. The expansion phase evaluates the safety and preliminary efficacy of the ceritinib and nivolumab combination at the RDE and consists of 2 arms (approximately 30 patients in each arm):

-   -   Arm 1: ALK inhibitor-treated (Prior treatment with any ALK         inhibitor except ceritinib is allowed.)     -   Arm 2: ALK inhibitor-naïve

The data cut-off for the primary clinical study report can occur once all patients in the expansion phase have completed at least 6 cycles (24 weeks) of treatment or have discontinued earlier.

Example 3 Effects of the LDK378 and Nivolumab Combination in the Clinic

Eight patients were enrolled to the first dose cohort in the study just as outlined in the Example 2 and below is the data of the only patient with available valid tumor assessment. Partial response was observed with this patient. A second assessment is required to confirm the response.

Patient assessed was a 64 year old Caucasian male with diagnosed stage IV NSCLC. Sites of disease included lung, adrenal and abdominal lymph nodes. The patient received one prior chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin and pemetrexed and achieved a partial response. Additional medical conditions include adrenal insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse, hypercholesterolemia, and urolithiasis.

The patient started study treatment with LDK378 450 mg QD (oral), administered with a low fat meal, in combination with Nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (intravenous). 29 days after the first dose of the study medications (combination of LDK378+Nivolumab) the patient presented with fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound was negative but computerized tomogram (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated acute pancreatitis. In addition, there were elevations in lipase, amylase, ALT, AST, bilirubin, ALP, and GGT. The patient was hospitalized and treatment with study medication LDK378 was temporarily interrupted. Treatment with intravenous fluids, paracetamol, Contramal (tramadol hydrochloride) and Litican (alizapride) was administered. In the following days the patient's laboratory results improved and the patient's condition improved; there were no more complaints of pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. All supporting medications were stopped and the patient was discharged from the hospital.

At a later evaluation at the clinic there were no complaints (no fever, vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain). After the patient had been discharged from the hospital, the patient did not receive pain medication or anti-emetics. Blood chemistry showed:

Lipase and amylase within normal limits, Gr1: bilirubin, AST, and ALT Gr2: Alkaline Phosphatase Grade 3: GGT

1 day after the evaluation at the clinic LDK378 was restarted at a reduced dose of 300 mg daily. Nivolumab treatment was restarted about a week later.

Patient had vomited once without nausea or abdominal pain. He was afebrile although once had a fever of 38 degrees. Patient had no physical complaints.

Lab values when Nivolumab was restarted: AST: 120 U/L, ALT: 139 U/L, Bilirubin total 33 Umol/L, Alkaline Phosphatase 551 U/L. Amylase and Lipase were normal.

LDK378 was discontinued and restarted again at 300 mg dose.

Tumor Assessment:

CT scan at the first tumor assessment demonstrated a 62.9% decrease in overall target lesions in the right adrenal gland and abdominal lymph nodes from the baseline CT scan. There is also a non-target lesion in the Left lower lobe of the lung which was assessed as present.

RECIST Target lesion Adrenal, lesion #1 Location Lesion diameter Baseline 17 mm Tumor  0 mm Assessment Other lymph nodes (abdominal), lesion #2 Location Lesion diameter Baseline 22 mm Tumor  7 mm Assessment Other lymph nodes (abdominal), lesion #3 Location Lesion diameter Baseline 23 mm Tumor 16 mm Assessment

RECIST Non-Target lesion Lung, lower lobe Location Lesion status Baseline Present Tumor Present Assessment Other lymph nodes (abdominal) Location Lesion diameter Evaluation 22 mm Baseline  7 mm

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and Accession numbers mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

EQUIVALENTS

While specific embodiments of the subject disclosure have been discussed, the above specification is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this specification and the claims below. The full scope of the disclosure should be determined by reference to the claims, along with their full scope of equivalents, and the specification, along with such variations. 

1. A method of treating a cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an immunomodulator and a second therapeutic agent, wherein: (i) the immunomodulator is chosen from one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule, and (ii) the second therapeutic agent is LDK378, thereby treating the cancer.
 2. A method of reducing growth, survival, or viability, or all, of a a cancer cell, comprising contacting the cell with an immunomodulator and a second therapeutic agent, wherein: (i) the immunomodulator is chosen from one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule, and (ii) the second therapeutic agent is LDK378, thereby reducing the growth, survival, or viability of the cancer cell.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the agonist of the costimulatory molecule is chosen from an agonist of one or more of OX40, CD2, CD27, CDS, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), 1COS (CD278), 4-1BB (CD137), GITR, CD30, CD40, BAFFR, HVEM, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, SLAMF7, NKp80, CD160, B7-H3 or CD83 ligand.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of the immune checkpoint molecule is chosen from one or more of PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA4, TIM3, LAGS, VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4 or TGFR beta.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of the immune checkpoint molecule is chosen from an inhibitor of PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3 or CTLA4, or any combination thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the combination of the immunomodulator and the LDK378 can be administered together in a single composition or administered separately in two or more different compositions.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the combination of the immunomodulator and the LDK378 is administered or contacted concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, the second agent.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of the immune checkpoint molecule is a soluble ligand or an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to the immune checkpoint molecule.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is from an IgG1 or IgG4 (e.g., human IgG1 or IgG4).
 10. The method of any of claimc 1 ° claim 1, wherein the antibody molecule is a bispecific or multispecific antibody molecule that has a first binding specificity to PD-1 or PD-L1 and a second binding specifity to TIM-3, LAG-3, or PD-L2.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is an anti-PD-1 antibody chosen from Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab or Pidilizumab.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is an anti-PD-L1 antibody chosen from YW243.55.S70, MPDL3280A, MEDI-4736, MSB-0010718C, or MDX-1105.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is an anti-LAG-3 antibody molecule.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the anti-LAG-3 antibody molecule is BMS-986016.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is an anti-PD-1 antibody chosen from Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab.
 16. The method of any of claims 1 11 claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is Nivolumab.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is the anti-PD-L1 antibody, MSB0010718C.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is a solid tumor, a soft tissue tumor, and a metastatic lesion of any of the aforesaid cancers.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is a solid tumor from the lung; breast; ovarian; lymphoid; gastrointestinal such as colon; anal; genitals and genitourinary tract such as renal, urothelial, bladder cells, prostate; pharynx; CNS such as brain, neural or glial cells; head and neck; skin such as melanoma); pancreas; renal-cell carcinoma; liver, non-small cell lung cancer, small intestine or the esophagus.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is a hematological cancer chosen from a Hogdkin's lymphoma, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a lymphocytic leukemia, or a myeloid leukemia.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is chosen from a cancer disclosed in Table
 1. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a human (e.g., a patient having, or at risk of having, a cancer described herein.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is an anti-PD-1 antibody molecule administered by injection (e.g., subcutaneously or intravenously) at a dose of about 1 to 30 mg/kg, about 5 to 25 mg/kg, about 10 to 20 mg/kg, about 1 to 5 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg, once a week to once every 2, 3, or 4 weeks.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule is administered at a dose from about 10 to 20 mg/kg every other week.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody moleculeNivolumab is administered intravenously at a dose from about 1 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg, every two weeks.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule Nivolumab, is administered intravenously at a dose of about 2 mg/kg at 3-week intervals.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody molecule Nivolumab is administered intravenously at a dose of about 3 mg/kg at 2-week intervals.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, or MSB0010718C
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, or MSB0010718C used in combination with LDK378 to treat a cancer described in Table 1 such as a solid tumor, or a lung cancer, or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, or MSB0010718C used in combination with LDK378 to treat a cancer, wherein the cancer is lymphoma, such as an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, or MSB0010718C used in combination with LDK378 to treat a cancer, wherein the cancer is an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.
 32. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunomodulator is Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, or MSB0010718C used in combination with LDK378 to treat a cancer, wherein the cancer is neuroblastoma.
 33. The method of claim 36, wherein the cancer is an NSCLC such asa Stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, or a relapsed locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the cancer has, or is identified as having an ALK rearrangement or translocation.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the cancer has, an ALK fusion.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the cancer has an EML4-ALK fusion.
 37. The method according to claim 33, wherein the cancer has progressed on, or is tolerant to, crizotinib.
 38. The method according to claim 33, wherein LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 100 to 1000 mg.
 39. The method according to claim 33, wherein LDK378 is administered at an oral dose from about 150 mg to 750 mg daily, either with food or in a fasting condition.
 40. The method according to claim 33, wherein LDK378 is administered at an oral dose of about 750 mg daily, in a fasting condition.
 41. The method according to claim 33, wherein LDK378 is administered at an daily oral dose of about 750 mg or lower, about 600 mg or lower,or about 450 mg or lower, via capsule or tablet.
 42. A composition comprising an immunomodulator such as one or more of: an activator of a costimulatory molecule or an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint molecule and LDK378.
 43. A pharmaceutical combination comprising (i) LDK378, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) nivolumab, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 44. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 43 comprising components (i) and (ii) separately or together.
 45. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 43 for use as a medicine, wherein LDK378 and the Nivolumab are administered independently at the same time or separately within time intervals.
 46. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 45, wherein time intervals allow that the combination partners are jointly active.
 47. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 43 comprising a quantity which is jointly therapeutically effective for the treatment of an ALK mediated disease.
 48. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 47, wherein the ALK mediated disease is cancer.
 49. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 47, wherein the ALK mediated disease is NSCLC or lymphoma,
 50. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 47, wherein the ALK mediated disease is NSCLC.
 51. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 43, wherein ceritinib dose is 450 mg and nivolumab dose is 3 mg/kg.
 52. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 43, wherein ceritinib dose is 600 mg and nivolumab dose is 3 mg/kg.
 53. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 43, wherein ceritinib is administered with a low fat meal. 